The North Devon Crematorium is now closing its memorial gardens to the public following further guidance in relation to Coronavirus.
New regulations that came into force on 26 March instructs all crematoriums to be closed for anything other than funeral services.
The crematorium has already introduced a number of measures to minimise the risk of infection such as restricting services to close family members, stopping coffin bearing, removing hymn books and preventing any touching of coffins at the committal.
Further guidance is being sought on cemeteries.
Bereavement Services Manager Mark Drummond says:
“It is with much regret that we now have to stop visits to our memorial gardens to allow us to protect public and staff health and safety. Members of the staff who are key workers will maintain the gardens when their duties permit so that the beauty of the gardens is retained for when we are able to reopen. Attendance at funerals remains restricted to close family members.”
The North Devon Crematorium is a joint service provided by North Devon and Torridge councils.