THE woman who launched a petition against a ban on mourners at York Crematorium said today she was 'relieved and proud' after it had succeeded.

Kelsey Dobson said her aunt would now be able to attend her husband's funeral after City of York Council announced last night that close family members could now attend services and committals outside the building in Bishopthorpe.

Kerry set up her petition - which has been signed by more than 4,200 people in less than a week - after her aunt, Marie Dean, was told that she and her family could not attend the funeral of her husband Colin on April 20 because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

She said today that up to 10 immediate family members could now attend the crematorium, with words, prayers and songs played under a private marquee with the minister/celebrant present.

"The committal can happen with immediate family present, meaning that families can spend their loved one's last few moments together and say a proper goodbye," she said.

"This is what will happen for my uncle's funeral - they will be having the service and committal in the marquee together as a family.

"My auntie is relieved that she is able to be with her husband on his last journey and she has thanked me time and time again."

She said she had spoken to staff at the crematorium and had been told that the service outside could be 2O minutes long if there was no need for a committal inside.

The council has described the changes as 'additional details' on the implementation of a decision made on Saturday, which said families could go to the Crematorium but would have to wait outside while a service took place in the chapel.

The council had originally said funeral services could not take place and mourners could not go to the crematorium - an announcement that provoked protests from York Central MP Rachael Maskell and the launch of a petition against the ban, which has now been signed by more than 4,000 people.

The council also revealed last night that:

*Arrangements are also being made to ensure funerals are appropriately scheduled, so that services do not overlap, and that each family group is given plenty of privacy.

*Officials form the Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities had confirmed they were 'content' with the council’s approach.

*Once the restrictions have been lifted, the council will ensure that services of remembrance at York Crematorium will be offered to all families and a city wide multifaith remembrance ceremony will be held, supported by local faith leaders.

Council leader Keith Aspden said: "We fully recognise the impact that this decision will have on bereaved families but ultimately, it has been taken protect everyone concerned, including families and their loved ones.

“With confirmation of these arrangements and how they will be implemented, we hope that moving forward, they will bring some much needed comfort to grieving families at what is an exceptionally difficult time for them.

"I know that our teams will continue to do all that they can to meet the needs of families.

“This exceptional decision has been taken to limit the spread of coronavirus and therefore, protect the public, the city’s funeral directors and our bereavement services staff.

"We have a very small skilled team at the crematorium and if they became infected, we would have a further public health risk in not being able to undertake cremations at all.

"These changes are in line with a number of other local authorities who have taken the same action, in some cases earlier, during this crisis.”

Ian Floyd, Interim Head of Paid Services, said: “My thoughts and condolences are with every family during this unprecedented time. We have taken this decision to protect all concerned, including you and your loved ones.

"We are continuing to work with funeral directors in the city to ensure that the wishes of families and their loved ones are met.

“It is important to reiterate that the Government have not intervened on this issue and that they have confirmed they are content with the arrangements announced on Saturday.”

"In addition to the confirmed changes at York Crematorium, graveside burial services for York residents at Fulford Cemetery are still permissible, as long as families follow the rules in place which limit the number of mourners outside to 10 people, who must at all times observe social distancing."

York Central MP Rachael Maskell, who has been campaigning strongly against the mourner ban, said she 'recognised the movement that the council have made' but said: "To stipulate that a service should only take 10 minutes does not acknowledge the needs of families to say their final goodbyes in those precious moments together with words, prayers, a eulogy, music or song or even silence.

"There is no safety reason why a family should have such limitations placed on them and would ask the council again to remove such unnecessary restrictions and allow families the time and space they need.”