Central England Co-op Funeralcare is asking people in the Swadlincote area to help families pay their respects to loved ones during this uncertain time.

Fiona Thompson, Senior Funeral Director at Ward and Brewin, in Swadlincote, has issued a plea for people to come together and help those who have lost someone close to them at this time.

They would like people to stop and bow their head in a show of respect and to support families if they see a hearse while they are in their front garden or out for their permitted daily exercise.

The funeral director is asking people to make the kind gesture after restrictions were put in place by the Government on the way funerals can now be conducted, including the number of people able to attend services.

Fiona said: "We are working 24 hours a day to support families at their time of need but changes have had to be put in place following advice and guidance from the Government

"We are working to do all we can to support our families at this difficult time but we feel these measures have to be put in place to protect them and our colleagues.

"These are circumstances that none of us could have imagined, but it continues to be our privilege to support families at this difficult time.

"This is why we are asking people while they are in their front room, front garden or out on their daily exercise to, if they see a funeral hearse, to please stop and bow their head in a show of respect for the loved one who has passed away and in support of their family during this difficult time."

This comes after Central England Co-op Funeralcare outlined several changes to the way it works due to Coronavirus.

These include:

• Funeral homes have restricted public access with clear information displayed on how to contact the teams if needed

• Providing a new service enabling families to complete funeral arrangements over the phone or via email

• Visiting loved ones is still allowed by appointment and providing social distancing guidance can be followed

• Closing florist shops based on Government instructions. Families can still take their own flowers direct to any service

• Being unable to provide limousines to comply with social distancing advice

• Funeral Directors being encouraged to use wheeled trolleys instead of shouldering coffins

• Being unable to provide new headstones or refurbish existing ones for the time being.  Stone removals for burials will still be provided

People can keep up to date with how Central England Co-op is responding to the Coronavirus by visiting