People are being  asked not to visit Brighton city cemeteries to only  attend  for a funeral or visit a grave.

Since the government restrictions on movement were introduced, there has been a rise in the number of people using the cemetery grounds for outings, exercise and dog walking.

Mourning and remembrance

We’re asking people to please use other areas for these activities. The cemeteries are places for mourning and remembrance. People coming to mourn need to be able to do so in peace.

There is also a practical need to prevent the spread of the virus by following social distancing guidance and staying two metres (six foot) from other people. This can be a challenge in some areas of the grounds when many people are present at the same time.

Please be respectful

Councillor Dan Yates, lead councillor for life events services, said: “Please be respectful to people coming to cemeteries to mourn the loss of loved ones who have died. The grounds are a place for contemplation and remembrance.

“It is understandable that residents living near the cemeteries have been choosing to visit, as this is in line with the guidelines to stay near to home when going outside. But we ask that everyone considers going to open spaces in the city that are not primarily places of mourning.”

“If possible, do not come into the cemetery grounds. Please give priority to those who come to mourn.”

Funerals

The coronavirus has also led to changes in guidance around funeral attendance, following rules introduced by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.

This includes keeping the number of attendees at funerals to a minimum and there is now a limit of 12 mourners in place at the chapels.