Council rejects request to increase funeral sizes

Responding to a letter from Councillor Majid Mahmood, Councillor Sharon Thompson said that while she appreciated his concerns, the decision had been taken to "keep people safe, well and reduce the likelihood of spreading Covid-19".

She also revealed that the council’s policy has the support of the Birmingham Muslim Burial Council (BMBC), though she did add that they would be constantly "reviewing the matter" going forward.

Councillor Mahmood had earlier written to leader of the council Ian Ward asking him to consider increasing the maximum attendance, saying he had been "inundated" with calls from concerned citizens on the matter.

“This is causing anxiety amongst a lot of Muslim families in the city,” Councillor Mahmood wrote.

“As you’re aware a lot of Muslim families tend to be large families so the number of 6 maximum means that some sons and brothers have not been able to attend funerals of their loved ones.

“Due to the current Covid-19 crisis visitors are not permitted to visit patients at hospital. As such the only time grieving families get to say their goodbyes would be at the funeral and we are preventing people from doing so.

“I believe we can, and we should increase the number of people who can attend funerals provided all wear appropriate PPE, and attendees are kept more than two metres apart.”

It is understood that the council has corresponded with local religious groups and funeral directors regarding the figure of six attendees, with one of the main concerns around social distancing being the amount of space available at the edge of a grave.

Responding to Councillor Mahmood, Councillor Thompson said that she, too, was concerned about burials and cremations, but that the decision had been taken to "reduce the likelihood of increased levels of Covid-19 contracted illnesses and deaths".

And she added that she had spoken with the BMBC only that morning, and they shared the council’s approach to limiting attendance numbers.

“A decision was taken locally to restrict the number of mourners to six. This was to ensure that we are able to help keep people safe, well and reduce the likelihood of spreading Covid-19,” she wrote.

“Whilst I appreciate that there are variances across local authority areas, each local authority will have based their decision on the facilities (crematoriums and/or cemeteries), welfare of staff and ability of those on site to be able to manage funerals, government guidance on social distancing/travel alongside size of the local authority area population and reducing the likelihood of the virus travelling across the population.

“Bereavement services have always had a close working relationship with BMBC (Birmingham Muslim Burial Council) which has become stronger as we have had to all deal with Covid-19.

“I have spoken to BMBC this morning as part of our general catch-ups and this particular concern was raised with them. BMBC shared the view that we must do all we can to ensure that we keep people safe, well and reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus. In this instance this would mean limiting the numbers of those at a grave. We are in agreement in regards to the number which Birmingham is currently permitting.

“Finally we have said we will continue to review all aspects of the service in relation to how it responds to the challenges of Covid-19. We will be reviewing this particular matter but cannot guarantee at this time we will be making changes.”