This article is more than 6 months old

This article is more than 6 months old

Funeral directors are considering streaming burials over Facebook for the families of coronavirus victims as part of measures discussed with government officials.

Civil servants were also pressed over the need for staff and morticians to be instructed to wear full-body protective clothing while handling victims’ bodies in a call with representatives of the UK’s undertakers.

Quick guide What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms in the UK Show Hide Symptoms are defined by the NHS as either: a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

a new continuous cough - this means you've started coughing repeatedly NHS advice is that anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine. But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible. After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine. If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal. If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

Staying at home means you should: not go to work, school or public areas

not use public transport or taxis

not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home

not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home You can use your garden, if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least 2 metres away from other people. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do. Source: NHS England on 23 March 2020

The government is expected to bring forward legislation this week to help funeral directors handle thousands of deaths expected from the Covid-19 virus. It follows concerns raised by pathologists that current legislation allows coronavirus victims to have open coffins and have their bodies embalmed while remaining contagious.

The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and the National Association of Funeral Directors were among organisations which coordinated a conference call with the Cabinet Office on Tuesday.

According to sources one suggestion raised with government officials was to encourage mourners to stream funerals over social media to friends and family.

Modern crematoriums tend to be equipped to broadcast funerals via the internet to mourners living abroad. Funeral directors believe that social distancing and self-isolation could see more people take up this option. Family members who do attend could be advised to stand further apart during a funeral service, or limit numbers.

There were also calls for the government to give funeral directors access to personal protection equipment if they are removing bodies from homes where someone is suspected of having died from Covid-19.

Burials could also take place with a memorial at a later date, according to Alison Crake, a funeral director who helped draw up the nationwide pandemic plan for the funeral industry.

“The likelihood is a family will be self-isolating immediately after someone has died. We are concerned about inconsistencies which is making it very difficult for us to give advice. It may be that a family takes a decision to have a smaller service now and a memorial service at a later date,” said Crake, who did not take part in Tuesday’s meeting.

She said it was “natural instinct” for people grieving the death of a loved one to reach out and comfort each other and the government needed to clarify what would be a safe way to congregate in the case of a funeral.

“A traditional funeral where you expect people to go into a venue, a church, a crematorium chapel – if you think of the advice on social distancing and if you think what happens at the funeral, it’s a very natural instinct to comfort people and have your family close to you.

“We need to think about what advice we give people to help [them] understand where there is different advice in terms of older people. Earlier start times for burials are also likely, with the usually unpopular 9am slots likely to be filled,” she said.

Crake’s guidance suggests all staff removing an infected body should wear a long-sleeved gown, goggles and a face mask.

The Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology (AAPT), which represents morticians, is seeking urgent clarification from Public Health England (PHE) over the rules of handling the bodies of coronavirus victims.

A leaked email from the organisation said: “AAPT are aware of the latest guidance stating that body bags are not required and that viewing, hygienic preparation, viewing and embalming are all permitted. We are urgently trying to clarify this guidance with PHE, especially around body bags and personal protective clothing.”

The Irish Association of Funeral Directors provoked criticism last week when it said all funeral services for coronavirus victims should be postponed, and the deceased brought straight to the crematorium or cemetery for committal. It also recommended banning family members from funeral homes and limousines for transport.

The British government has been reluctant to put a definitive figure on the number of potential Covid-19 deaths in the months ahead. On Monday, modelling from Imperial College suggested that the government’s new action plan might reduce the estimated number of deaths from 260,000 to 20,000.

Asked to comment on the suggested measures discussed with civil servants, a government spokesperson said: “We have been clear from the outset that we expect coronavirus to impact the UK, which is why we are undertaking sensible contingency planning for every eventuality – including the reasonable worst-case scenario.”