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Former vicar and MP says funerals should be filmed if attendance is restricted

by Press Association
 - Banner image
Chris McAndrew, CC BY 3.0

A Labour MP has called for funerals to be filmed following ceremony restrictions imposed by the Government during the coronavirus crisis.

Labour's Chris Bryant, a former Church of England vicar, said being able to film ceremonies would allow the deceased's loved ones "to feel that they are somehow engaged" despite not being at the funeral in person.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the facilities for filming services "is available and increasingly available".

Last week, the Church of England recommended limiting the numbers of those attending funerals to immediate family members.

Mr Bryant (Rhondda) said: "Obviously there may be instances where it's impossible to allow for a normal funeral in the way that one would be used to having and it might be that there have to be mass funerals."

He added that there may also be instances where just one person is allowed to attend a funeral apart from the deceased themselves.

"I wonder whether it might be possible to ensure in all local authorities, in particular in crematoria, whether that it is possible to film such moments so that at least loved ones have an opportunity to feel that they are somehow engaged and online if not in person?"

Mr Hancock replied: "I know that Mr Bryant speaks from experience having presided over these events and yes that is available and increasingly available, and I entirely understand why many people would want that."
 

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