Latest COVID-19 guidance for funeral services from Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has just updated its guidance on funeral services during the coronavirus lockdown. The guidelines are still very restrictive, in line with the fact that we are at a very risky stage with a real danger of a second wave of the virus.

The guidance does not lay down a maximum number for those attending a service – it leaves it open to individual crematoriums and local authorities to decide within the overall guidance. So if you are having to arrange a funeral it’s important to check how many people can attend your local cemetery or crematorium.

Michael Hannah, Funeral Celebrant, Dundee, Scotland

Funeral care for transgender people – a video

My colleague and fellow celebrant, Emma Curtis, has contributed to a short video on funeral care for trans people – especially in the current lockdown.

It’s aimed at transgender people but is actually a really useful watch for anyone who wants to ensure that a funeral really reflects the life and wishes of their loved one even in these restricted times.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, May 2020

COVID White Paper and resources

There is a really useful collection of ideas and resources here – very useful for funeral celebrants and anyone involved in the world of funerals, bereavement, grief and loss. It’s a bit USA-centred but valuable none the less: COVID White Paper.

Plus… a link to the University of Durham Centre for Death and Life Studies COVID-19 hub.

Michael Hannah, Celebrant, Dundee 20th May 2020

Gratitude

A nice video by Neil Dorward, celebrant, mentor and trainer on his new YouTube channel. It’s about gratitude – specifically to funeral directors and their staff for all they do especially in the difficult days of lockdown.

But gives me the opportunity to say thanks to you Neil for helping to set me personally on the path to becoming a funeral celebrant and all your help and guidance.

Michael Hannah, Dundee 15th May 2020

Dundee Courier

I was interviewed by the Dundee Courier on Friday regarding virtual funerals. Wasn’t sure how it would turn out as I’m not very experienced speaking to the press but it’s a nice article.

With talk of lockdown being eased, maybe it seems we won’t need to go down this road but some countries are already noting signs of a second wave and actually, I think the idea of online ceremony is here to stay.

So it’s good that funeral celebrants in Tayside and Fife are able to offer this service.

Thank you to Claire Warrender and the Courier for the article.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, 11th May 2020

Bereavement Charter for Scotland

There’s a new Bereavement Charter for Scotland – available here. It contains 15 statements which describe what the best bereavement care and support should look like. It has been developed to support individuals and communities who struggle with the death of someone they know or someone in their community. There’s more information here.

Coincidentally, one of the funeral celebrants I’ve been in contact with lately, Emma Curtis, has prepared a very useful “guide for people who worry what to say to a grieving person.”

I think we all struggle with what to say to a person who is grieving. And sometimes we end up not saying anything at all – but it’s so important to make and maintain contact. Emma’s guide gives a lot of advice on how to do that in a sensitive and practical way.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, 8th May 2020

Masters at Glasgow

I just heard today that I’ve been accepted on the University of Glasgow’s MSc in End of Life Studies.

This is a totally online part-time course so I’ll be able to continue my celebrancy work around it. It will be great to work both on the practical side and pursue an academic interest in the subject at the same time.

Ultimately I’d love to do some research in the field of ceremony and funerals …. but one step at a time! Very pleased, though, to have this to look forward to.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, 7th May 2020

Celebrant support networks

Being a funeral celebrant can be a lonely business. Of course you meet all sorts of amazing people in the families that you work with. And you build good relations with funeral directors and arrangers.

But it can be hard to build up good working relationships with other celebrants in the area. And that has been put into sharper focus by the lockdown.

I’ve started to build a loose local network – we “meet” on Zoom every week and share experience and ideas.

I’ve also joined a UK-wide support network that was created in response to the COVID-19 situation. I’ve found it a really helpful way to exchange support. It’s also really good to talk through ideas with people who are working in very different places and who have really varied professional backgrounds and approaches. There’s more information about this funeral celebrants support network here.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, 6th May 2020

Funeral Celebrant Accord

The Celebrancy Accord

The Accord defines the attributes and skills required of an excellent funeral celebrant and is intended to set the standards by which all celebrants offering funeral services should be measured.

In summary, an excellent funeral celebrant:

  1. Is professional
  2. Cares for their clients
  3. Is calm and shows natural leadership
  4. Writes personalized ceremonies
  5. Cares about their self development

For more information about this see the Funeral Celebrancy Council.

I have also set out my own personal Code of Conduct.

Michael Hannah, Dundee, 2nd May 2020

Zoom funerals in the news

The BBC Radio 4 Today Programme this morning (18 April) carried an interesting feature about how funeral celebrants are starting to use Zoom and other similar online ways to perform ceremonies during the current coronavirus lockdown.

Celebrant Claire Bradford explained how this can work and how, although it obviously isn’t the same as a traditional funeral, it can give families a chance to come together and honour the life of a loved one with due ceremony and respect.

You can listen to the piece here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000hdbf – you need to skip to about 23 minutes into the programme [May no longer be available].

I am also developing this and have conducted one funeral using Zoom. Please contact me if you’d like to know more.

Michael Hannah, Funeral Celebrant, Dundee