Plans to live stream funerals to help grieving families in South Tyneside

Funerals, burials and cremations are still being carried out in the borough during the Covid-19 outbreak, but with restrictions in place to comply with social distancing rules.

Funerals were one exception Boris Johnson gave when he announced lockdown measures, which included banning weddings, in March.

Sunderland City Council has begun streaming services online to help grieving families during the lockdown, with webcams available at services at the crematorium on Chester Road.

Now, South Tyneside Council have confirmed they could introduce similar arrangements in future so more people can be part in services, albeit it virtually online.

A council spokeswoman said: “We appreciate these are difficult times with only limited numbers of people being able to attend funeral services at present.

“As such, we are exploring options with a view to potentially providing a streaming service in the near future.”

Neighbouring authority Durham County Council already had webcasting technology in place at its crematoria.

Like Sunderland and South Tyneside, the county has also placed restrictions on the number of mourners allowed at funeral services to comply with social distancing guidelines.

In South Tyneside, funeral services are restricted to immediate family and up to a maximum of 15 people.

A council spokeswoman added that any decision to introduce streaming technology will depend on “network capacity and input from external contractors.”

Anyone needing to contact Bereavement Services for advice and guidance in South Tyneside should call 0191 427 3190.

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