{"value":{"id":1307828,"askingMemberId":1447,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2021-04-12T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2021-04-14T00:00:00","uin":"178897","questionText":"To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing covid-19 restrictions on funeral services before 20 April 2021.","answeringBodyId":53,"answeringBodyName":"Cabinet Office","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":4017,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2021-04-29T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>We understand that losing a loved one is always a very difficult time. Throughout the pandemic, restrictions on funerals have sought to balance the needs of the bereaved with the need to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, the government has had to take the difficult decision to put measures in place to ensure funerals can continue whilst reducing risk, particularly if vulnerable people wish to attend.</p><p>The Government is taking a gradual and cautious approach to removing restrictions on end of life gatherings, guided by science and the data. Further information can be found in the guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic</a></p><p> </p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Funerals: Coronavirus","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1307828","method":"GET"}]}