Britain faces prospect of mass funerals if rising coronavirus death toll overwhelms undertaker, Wales’ Health Minister warns
- Wales Health Minister Vaughan Gething said it was ‘one of the most difficult things we might have to face’
- He agreed with a fellow assembly member there might be a ‘push towards cremation with memorial services in the months to come’
- It came after a second person in Wales has died after testing positive for Covid-19, the country’s chief medical officer has said
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Britain could see the end of individual funerals if the rising coronavirus death toll overwhelms undertakers.
At the Welsh assembly’s health committee today, Health Minister Vaughan Gething said it was ‘one of the most difficult things we might have to face’, as reported by the BBC.
Mr Gething – who was questioned via video-link as he is currently self-isolating – agreed with a fellow assembly member there might be a ‘push towards cremation with memorial services in the months to come’.
It came after a second person in Wales has died after testing positive for Covid-19, the country’s chief medical officer has said.
Dr Frank Atherton said the patient, who was being treated in Swansea, was 96 years old and had underlying health conditions.
A stock image of a coffin about to be lowered at a funeral service in a cemetery
On Tuesday, Dr Atherton: ‘I’m sorry to report that a second patient in Wales who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died.
‘I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.
‘The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was 96 years old and was being treated at the Morriston Hospital.’
Mr Gething said he had self-isolated himself for 14 days after his son developed a cough.
He said he will continue to work from home to lead the Welsh NHS’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
In a video message posted on Twitter, Mr Gething said he was asking the public to self-isolate if anyone in their household developed a new cough or a high temperature.
‘I’m in that category as my son has a new wheezy cough, so I’m not going to be in the Assembly for the foreseeable,’ the Minister for Health and Social Services said.
Mr Gething said he had self-isolated himself for 14 days after his son developed a cough
‘I’m following the advice we’re asking the public to follow as well. The objective in all the advice we’re giving is to delay the spread of coronavirus and to give our health service the opportunity to help save more lives.’
Representative bodies from the funeral, crematoria and burial sector met officials at the Cabinet Office on Tuesday, where they highlighted the shortage of protective clothing and requested support as the situation develops.
Following the meeting, the attendees said bereaved friends and families should consider whether social distancing measures mean webcasting memorial services could become an option.
Among those involved were representatives from the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities.
Members of the Cremation Society and the Association of Private Cemeteries and Crematoria were also present.
A joint statement said: ‘The key outcome is that funerals should continue, as normally as possible, for now – but take into account all of the guidelines issued by government for minimising the risk of transmission.
‘This includes the need to protect at-risk groups, to avoid large gatherings of people, for good hand hygiene and the avoidance of unnecessary physical contact.
‘This is not only for the benefit of those attending funerals, it also supports the urgent need to protect funeral home, crematorium and cemetery employees, who need to remain healthy and able to support bereaved families at this critical time.’
It said families should assess each funeral individually and consider whether the social distancing measures might mean small numbers of people, organising a service at a later date or alternatives such as webcasting.