Blackpool funeral directors share the changes to the business in celebrating a life after Covid 19

A celebration of life, conducted with dignity and respect, remains the priority for those in the funeral industry, who like many businesses have had to adapt and evolve to accommodate the ever-changing climate of Covid-19 restrictions and the vastly rising numbers of families requiring their services.

For some funeral directors, the handling and planning of funerals have tripled in numbers, from two to three a week to 15 in recent months, particularly since November and the pressure to deliver services, whilst meeting the expectations of fulfilling the wishes of families has been difficult.

Funeral director Claire Hull of CT Hull in Poulton says their customers 'have been amazing' with their level of understanding for the working environment they are faced with, whilst changes they have implemented, with the introduction of live streamed services, have provided a future working model.

She says: "Going back to last year and the introduction of the first lockdown, it was incredibly sad.

"The churches had been closed, services were dramatically altered and only very immediate family could attend a funeral. Having to assist families through that grief and process was very hard. Now the numbers are 18, with the socially distanced measures.

"But even at the most difficult, awful of times our families have been totally understanding and I have been in awe of so many, in the way they have managed the process and the work for us has been to help deliver that to the best of our ability, with the personal touch but with all the new procedures in terms of Covid safety.

"Zoom has changed things, more arrangements with phone conversations, whatever makes people more comfortable. We've worked ever more closely with the churches and the team Sue and the girls, at Carleton Crematorium, who have just been fantastic, so that we can still deliver a beautiful service with dignity, despite it being reduced from 45 to 30 minutes, which is quite a job in itself to manage.

"The numbers have risen greatly since November, families are waiting anywhere between two to three weeks for a funeral. Services are now being offered on Saturdays to assist in that."

With families also often separated by distance, it has been another factor for the funeral industry to consider. With restricted travel meaning some family members can't make a journey to say their final goodbyes, services have been filmed and made available digitally to allow people to feel part of the day.

Claire adds: "Depending on the location, there are limited numbers in the chapels. Some wider family and friends will choose to stand outside if it is possible, being able to stream a service allows people to feel a special part of it.

"I'd say around 80 per cent of our clients are now requesting it in some form and it will most certainly be one of the big changes for the industry moving forward."

Steve Nicholls, a funeral director of 30 years, who works Box Bros Ltd, with offices in Hawes Side Lane and Station Road said while they too had felt the impact of the increase in deaths in very recent months, changes in the administration, particularly in the processing of death certificates, had been a welcome move for families and undertakers alike.

"Given the pressures and the rising numbers, one of the difficulties pre-Covid was death registration process, families could be held waiting or required to make extra trips before certificates were given.

"There was a requirement for two doctors to sign it and now it is just one. It's a small thing but has made a difference as we understand what difficulties families are having to go through.

Steve says they too have been doing their best in the circumstances to deliver services without interruption but they are currently delivering well above numbers of recent years, owing to Covid.

He says: "There have been some somber and poignant situations, when it hits you, particularly for some loved ones, who live away or are having to travel in a day because they have nowhere to stay.

Claire adds: "We had a funeral recently for a lady from a care home, with many friends who were shielding and couldn't attend. The procession moved by the home because they all wanted their chance to say goodbye."

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