Current restrictions on funerals etc in English part of the country

MoneySeeker1

I don't need an invitation - because I'm close family - though I get your point those who aren't automatically entitled to go (eg if it's a lesser-known relative or vague friend etc) will be helped by this.

If I had a car then it would all be a sight more manageable than living way over West and having to use public transport and get off it and pay for a taxi I can't afford as soon as I crossed the english border (one advantage of Welsh Lockdown - being no enforced masks on public transport - so no rows about it....). I'd also need somewhere to stay and an awful lot of the rooms there would be ruled out for not being ground floor (as we're not allowed to use lifts or have anyone help us carry heavy suitcases in hotels at the moment - and I need one of those things).

So - with a car it would be a long/tiring day but manageable. Without a car - and with those english mask rules - it isn't manageable basically. Therefore has to be "virtual attendance" - as was the case with my fathers funeral also in Lockdown Times.

onwards&upwards

If you can't manage stairs and can't wear a mask presumably you have a disability so would be entitled to an accessible ground floor room in a hotel and to not wear a mask. 

Or you could stay with a family member, this is allowed in England now. 

Savvy_Sue

I think you'll find taxis in England expect you to wear masks. Even if they don't require it, I'd do so. 

beavere38

I've lost two family members recently. My sister is being cremated in Telford and I was told we were allowed 25 mourners at the crematorium but I had a phone call yesterday from the funeral director to say that was now 30. I had chosen Telford as I was told Bushbury Crematorium (in Wolverhampton) was only allowing 12 mourners.  My mum is having a catholic church service and burial. I've been told 50 mourners maximum in the church and hymns are allowed but you cannot sing to them. There are only 12 allowed at the graveside for the burial (in Wolverhampton). Things seem to be changing all the time so keep in touch with the funeral director who will know the latest position. There seems to be a delay of 3 to 4 weeks for booking funerals at the moment and I haven't tried to organise the wakes yet as all the pubs have been closed.

Saipan

MoneySeeker1 said:

I don't need an invitation - because I'm close family - though I get your point those who aren't automatically entitled to go (eg if it's a lesser-known relative or vague friend etc) will be helped by this.

If I had a car then it would all be a sight more manageable than living way over West and having to use public transport and get off it and pay for a taxi I can't afford as soon as I crossed the english border (one advantage of Welsh Lockdown - being no enforced masks on public transport - so no rows about it....). I'd also need somewhere to stay and an awful lot of the rooms there would be ruled out for not being ground floor (as we're not allowed to use lifts or have anyone help us carry heavy suitcases in hotels at the moment - and I need one of those things).

So - with a car it would be a long/tiring day but manageable. Without a car - and with those english mask rules - it isn't manageable basically. Therefore has to be "virtual attendance" - as was the case with my fathers funeral also in Lockdown Times.

OP - I'm very sorry for your loss but please be assured that you can travel to your mother's funeral and, as others have said, book into a hotel or stay with family or friends in England.  The only restrictions that might apply would be if the funeral were taking place in Leicester, which is not the case here.

Public transport is available across all areas, although advance booking would be highly advisable.  Under the Public Health Act 1984 (amended 15 June 2020, if you would like more detailed information), you will have to wear a mask unless you have a disability or health condition that means you are exempt.  If this applies to you, cards explaining why you are exempt are freely available online from disability charities, so you would not have to have a 'row' about this (as you put it).  Regarding taxis - wearing masks is not legally required but the government's advice is that you 'should' and that taxi drivers/operators may be entitled to refuse to accept you if you are not wearing a mask.  Given the length of journey you are suggesting, I think you could find it very, very difficult to find a driver who would accept you without a mask given how long he/she would be exposed to any virus you might potentially be carrying.
    
I am not sure why you are saying that 'we' are not allowed to use lifts or have staff helping with luggage in hotels?  This is absolutely not the case with, for example, Premier Inns, which have put in place a rigorous cleaning programme to ensure that lifts are sterilised frequently so that customers can use them safely.  And, as another poster has pointed out, if you have a disability or health issue that means you have difficulties with stairs, hotels will prioritise you for a ground floor room or one with disabled access/facilities.  Hotels have lost a great deal of money in the past few months and will be only too happy to accommodate your needs in order to obtain your business (and would do so anyway in the vast majority of cases).
  
As of yesterday, you can 'stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household' (www.gov.uk) so there are no problems staying with a family member or friend.

I hope this has reassured you - and anyone else reading this who is in the same position - that the current restrictions do not mean that you cannot attend your mother's funeral in person. I hope all goes well.  
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Savvy_Sue

I'm not sure the OP is looking for support in being able to attend: rather she wants justification for reasons she cannot attend. 

I too was surprised at what she said about the lifts. We were in a shopping centre the other day (fortnightly trip to Sainsburys) and there are lifts to the higher floors of the car park. Signs said only one household at a time in the lift.

AnotherJoe

Savvy_Sue said:

I'm not sure the OP is looking for support in being able to attend: rather she wants justification for reasons she cannot attend. 

I too was surprised at what she said about the lifts. We were in a shopping centre the other day (fortnightly trip to Sainsburys) and there are lifts to the higher floors of the car park. Signs said only one household at a time in the lift.

Ditto in my local shopping centre also.

Gers

Savvy_Sue said:

I'm not sure the OP is looking for support in being able to attend: rather she wants justification for reasons she cannot attend.

My thoughts too!  I remember the earlier palaver

AnotherJoe

MoneySeeker1 said:

That would be a logical thought to postpone the wake - but not feasible in the event. Given that my parents were both in their 90's and therefore had "lost" a substantial proportion of people they knew anyway and everyone is scattered round the country one way or another.

Then, AIUI, the practical effect will be, there wont be a wake at all unless you all coincidentally all  go to  a pub with outdoor seating (and hope its not raining)