Council opens cemetery to the public
Slough Borough Council has reopened the cemetery grounds but is calling on residents to be sensitive to others whilst social distancing continues.
The Slough Cemetery and Crematorium, Stoke Road, was closed to the public – other than those attending crematorium services or burials – in March after the government announced it wanted all crematorium grounds closed.
Now this advice has been clarified, with cemeteries being allowed to reopen.
The council has taken steps to ensure people wanting to visit the cemetery to visit deceased family members can do so, without straying into the grounds of the crematorium which shares the same site.
However to ensure everyone’s safety, some regulations have been put into place.
Visitors to the cemetery are now required to:
• enter the site through the gates off Lismore Park, and not through the main gates to the crematorium off Stoke Road
• park in the layby areas off the paths through the cemetery and not in the crematorium car park
• maintain social distancing at all times – including from council staff maintaining the grounds
• not take part in any gatherings around graves or grave sites – only people from the same household should visit at the same time
• only visit during published cemetery opening hours
• not assist in any works in the grounds including interment
• be respectful of any services taking place
The office and book of remembrance chapel remain closed.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “Our staff were distraught when they had to close the cemetery, knowing bereaved families would like to visit and pay their respects.
“Please be reassured, while the cemetery has been closed to the public, we have continued to care for those interred at the Slough cemetery as if they were our own family.
“Please feel free to visit your departed loved ones once again – but please, to ensure your safety and ours, follow the new guidelines.”
For other advice on services, cremations and burials at Slough Cemetery and Crematorium during the coronavirus update please see slough.gov.uk/coronavirus
The Slough Cemetery and Crematorium, Stoke Road, was closed to the public – other than those attending crematorium services or burials – in March after the government announced it wanted all crematorium grounds closed.
Now this advice has been clarified, with cemeteries being allowed to reopen.
The council has taken steps to ensure people wanting to visit the cemetery to visit deceased family members can do so, without straying into the grounds of the crematorium which shares the same site.
However to ensure everyone’s safety, some regulations have been put into place.
Visitors to the cemetery are now required to:
• enter the site through the gates off Lismore Park, and not through the main gates to the crematorium off Stoke Road
• park in the layby areas off the paths through the cemetery and not in the crematorium car park
• maintain social distancing at all times – including from council staff maintaining the grounds
• not take part in any gatherings around graves or grave sites – only people from the same household should visit at the same time
• only visit during published cemetery opening hours
• not assist in any works in the grounds including interment
• be respectful of any services taking place
The office and book of remembrance chapel remain closed.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “Our staff were distraught when they had to close the cemetery, knowing bereaved families would like to visit and pay their respects.
“Please be reassured, while the cemetery has been closed to the public, we have continued to care for those interred at the Slough cemetery as if they were our own family.
“Please feel free to visit your departed loved ones once again – but please, to ensure your safety and ours, follow the new guidelines.”
For other advice on services, cremations and burials at Slough Cemetery and Crematorium during the coronavirus update please see slough.gov.uk/coronavirus
