Places of worship across Highlands reopen for individuals – but restrictions remain in place for funerals during coronavirus pandemic
From today places of worship in Scotland are allowed to reopen for individual prayer or contemplation, subject to physical distancing and hygiene safeguards.
However, restrictions on those attending funeral services are still limited to only household members of the person who has died, and close family.
Issuing updated guidance as Scotland moves into phase two of the route map out of lockdown Highland Council says that, where no household members or close family are attending, those who are a friend of the person who has died can attend their funeral.
In-person attendance to a funeral should be kept to the minimum number of people possible.
Capacity at the large chapel at Inverness Crematorium is still restricted to no more than 25 attendees and the council still encourages bereaved families to limit immediate family members attending to as low a number as possible.
Alan Yates, the council’s environmental health manager, said: “The restrictions on funerals have been difficult for families and friends of the bereaved and it is good to note that these may be removed when Scotland moves into Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map.
"The guidance helps to emphasise the need for current restrictions to be maintained in Phase 2 to control the spread of Covid-19. I thank everyone for following the guidance during the difficult time of a bereavement.”