Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “To protect people’s health while we tackle this deadly virus, we have taken the very difficult decision to close our cemeteries and crematorium.
“We know that this will be upsetting for family and friends, at what will be a very difficult time, but we urge people to listen to the government’s advice about social distancing and to stay home to save lives. We will lift these restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”
“Funerals, unfortunately, have been identified as high risk for spreading the virus amongst families, as well as putting others at risk. We have also taken the step, after advice from police and regional colleagues, to limit the number of mourners attending burials and cremations to 6.”
Council staff have seen an increase in groups gathering at cemeteries and people using the grounds to play in and walk dogs. Staff are continuously asking people to move on and dealing with these issues are impacting on the work they should be doing - to make sure arrangements are in place so family and friends can say goodbye to loved ones at burial or cremation services.
The following cemeteries and crematoria are closed:
- Beacon Hill Cemetery
- Bilston Cemetery
- Bushbury Cemetery and Crematorium
- Danescourt Cemetery
- Hall Green Cemetery
- Merridale Cemetery
- Penn Cemetery
Councillor Evans continued: “We will continue to work with Funeral Directors to help them inform families that they must follow the government’s guidance on social distancing during funeral and cremation services to ensure we keep people safe and help prevent the spread of the virus.”
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at GOV.UK and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at Advice for everyone – Coronavirus (COVID-19).
