Funerals in Fife could soon be broadcast to mourners online as services are restricted to immediate family only.
Fife Council hopes to have equipment as soon as possible which would allow webcasting of ceremonies.
This comes as Scotland’s chief medical officer urged families against delaying funerals in the hope of Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, voicing concern about creating a mortuary backlog.
Guidelines to combat the spread of coronavirus mean bereaved families face further heartbreak of being unable to have relatives and friends at the funerals of loved ones.
Only immediate family – up to six mourners – are permitted to attend services.
However, efforts to enable webcasting in Fife, which had begun before the virus outbreak, are being expedited.
Those with the means to broadcast services themselves are already being assisted.
Liz Murphy, the council’s bereavement services manager, said: “Funerals, both cremations and burials, are taking place as normal in Fife.
“The only exception is the number of mourners allowed, which is restricted to six people.
“We’re also looking into webcasting funerals but it’s not something that we’re in a position to offer just now.
“However, we are supporting families who have their own equipment and who wish to do this.”
Chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said the only way to avoid a backlog in mortuaries was for burials and cremations to go ahead as normal.
Addressing press on Monday, he said: “It’s important that people are able to grieve the passing of a loved one.
“But delaying a funeral in anticipation of social distancing measures being lifted could increase strain on funeral and mortuary services responding to coronavirus.
“We respectfully ask families do not delay the funerals of loved ones as a result of adherence to the NHS advice on social distancing and social isolation or because of waiting for these emergency measures to be lifted.
“Please let me be clear, the measures to help protect us all during this pandemic are going to remain in place for a significant period of time.
“This will include the restrictions on who can attend a funeral service.”
