Changes to funeral and visitation attendance

***BAO Attendance Guidance for the profession supporting this Registrar’s Directive was posted on June 15, 2020. Click here for the PDF. Printable posters for funeral homes here.

June 13, 2020 – 3:23 p.m.

Effective immediately –  Subject to certain conditions, the COVID-19 maximum attendance restriction allows for 30 per cent capacity for indoor funerals and visitations, and 50 attendees for outdoor funeral services. This Revised Registrar’s Directive provides key details to this morning’s directive.

INDOOR FUNERALS & VISITATIONS

• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that the number of persons occupying any room in the building or structure while attending the gathering does not exceed 30 per cent of the capacity of the particular room.
• All persons attending the gathering must remain at least two metres apart from each other and from persons conducting the funeral unless they are members of the same household.
• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.
• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that any washrooms that have been made available to persons attending the gathering are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.

OUTDOOR FUNERALS & VISITATIONS

• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that no more than 50 people are in attendance.
• All persons attending the gathering must remain at least two metres apart from each other and from persons conducting the funeral unless they are members of the same household.
• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.
• The persons conducting the funeral must ensure that any washrooms that have been made available to persons attending the gathering are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.

It is important to know that the “30% / 50 attendees” allowance are exemptions to the existing MAX 10 directive, and only apply if the above conditions are met.

-Carey Smith, CEO/Registrar

Registrar’s Directive: Change to attendance number at funerals and visitations

June 13, 2020 – 9:51 a.m. Effective immediately

As per the provincial government’s announcement today, the COVID-19 maximum attendance restriction has been changed to a 30 per cent capacity rule for funerals and visitations.

• The number of people allowed to attend an indoor funeral ceremony is a maximum of 30 per cent of the capacity of the funeral home or venue.  
• Funeral services taking place outdoors will be limited to 50 attendees.

Everyone must follow proper health and safety advice, including physical distancing of two metres from people who are not from the same household or their established 10-person social circle.

***BAO Attendance Guidance for the profession supporting this Registrar’s Directive was posted on June 15, 2020.

-Carey Smith, CEO/Registrar