MP’s appeal to relax funeral measures ‘careless and unhelpful, says Pure Cremation

Pure Cremation has branded MP’s concern that ‘the wishes of the deceased and bereaved are not being fulfilled with a proper committal in the church of their wish’ as being “careless and unhelpful” amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

A letter signed by 36 MP’s was sent to Lord Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England asking for church doors to reopen suggesting they should “consider, most intently, the pain and anguish of those families unable to have a funeral”.

The action follows UK government regulations which limits those attending funerals to immediate family members, with councils in some areas even banning mourners altogether for a brief time. As a result, the only options available to families are either a direct cremation or a very small attended funeral held at the graveside or crematorium.

Catherine Powell, co-founder and customer experience director of Pure Cremation believes that the letter branding direct cremation as a “tragedy” is highly irresponsible and this language only adds to the grief and distress suffered by the bereaved.

She said: “We salute those families who are choosing direct cremation in order to play their part in protecting their communities. 

“Unfortunately the MPs who wrote to the Bishops on this topic seem more interested in raising their profile than considering the impact their words might have on all the bereaved families who have made the difficult decision to separate the two parts of a funeral by arranging a direct cremation.”

She added: “They should be supporting their grieving constituents by emphasising the positives – more time to plan the perfect farewell, more time to gather the memories and stories that will make the event a poignant and accurate reflection of the life that has been lived.”