Just Beverley - Latest Issue - Flipbook - Page 11
The pandemic and the impact
of lockdown on funerals
Funeral Manager, David Wilson, has served bereaved families in Beverley for
over 40 years. Here, he discusses how the past year has aected our community
and the impact Covid-19 has had on funerals.
F
rom our premises in Minster Moorgate,
funerals have continued to go ahead
throughout the pandemic and lockdown
periods. However, in the 148 years that
Frank Stephenson & Son has existed I
don’t think the rm has experienced quite
so many challenges to ensure our clients
have a respectful and dignied funeral.
Unsurprisingly, research shows that only
one in ten people (12%) are condent they
know exactly what the current restrictions
mean for organising a funeral. Our dedicated
team can take care of all aspects of the service
and I continue to work my fellow funeral
directors, Paul and Kevin, who are supported
by Kim, Vanessa, Colin, John, Peter and Nick. As
local people we understand our client’s needs
and the importance of our shared traditions.
How funerals have changed
During 2020 we have been continually
adapting the service we oer. We have
a responsibility to comply with changing
government guidance but as a funeral
business we also want to give our clients
the service they want where possible.
The biggest change has been in the number
of people who can attend. At the start of
the pandemic funerals were restricted to
just 10 attendees. However, more and more
crematoria and other funeral venues have
adapted their spaces so now 30 people can
attend while maintaining social distancing.
An initiative that has been welcomed
by many families is the use of specialist
technology to live webcast or record the
funeral. Sadly, it isn’t possible for everyone that
may want to attend the funeral to physically
be there on the day, but this means they
can watch the service and pay their respects
even if they are ‘shielding’, unable to travel
or living in another part of the world.
At Frank Stephenson & Son we will be
able to advise you on what your options are
and we’re still able to provide many of the
most important elements of a funeral. Your
loved one can be buried or cremated. We
are able to arrange owers and a hearse
for your loved one, and you can still have
readings and music during the service.
Bereaved families can now register the death
by telephone rather than visit the Registry
Oce and we continue to work closely with
GP’s, Celebrants, religious leaders and others.
Getting to the funeral
We are really happy to say that we can
continue to provide a limousine service. To
protect both our colleagues and our clients we
have installed a Perspex partition between the
chaueur and passengers to provide a safe
environment. Each limousine is available for
family members from the same household
with a maximum of six people per vehicle.
Making arrangements
We can see people face to face at our
premises or converse using Skype or
Face Time but sadly we cannot make
arrangements at someone’s home. However,
we still encourage people to do as much
as they can over the phone or by email.
David Wilson – a true ‘Beverlonian’
David is a true ‘Beverlonian’ being born
and raised in Beverley as were generations
of his family before him. He was a pupil
at the Spencer Council School and then
attended Longcroft School and Sixth Form
College. David was a member of the Beverley
Minster Choir from the age of 7 and became
Head Virger of the Minster in 1980.
Taking the greatest care
Frank Stephenson & Son is part of Dignity,
a network of some of the UK’s nest funeral
directors. If you have questions you want
to ask out of hours you can visit the Dignity
website where we have a number of
Frequently Asked Questions or you can
call our 24-hour client service centre:
0800 456 1047. If you have been
aected by Covid-19 or are self-isolating
we have procedures that will allow
us to arrange a funeral with you, but
please call or email to contact us.
HELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
Frank Stephenson & Son
Funeral Directors
29 Minster Moorgate, Beverley HU17 8HP
Tel: 01482 881 367
For further information please visit:
www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/frank-stephenson-and-son/beverley
w w w. j u s t b e v e r l e y. c o . u k
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