We at Newhaven Funerals follow the directions given us by Queensland Health with regard to conducting funerals during the Covid 19 pandemic, with this in mind we have outlined below the updated requirements regarding funerals in Queensland:
What is the guidance for funerals in Queensland?
In Queensland, Directions are made by the Chief Health Officer under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005.
The Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction provides for restrictions on funerals.
Under this Direction, funeral services at an indoor space may have one person per 2 square metres; or a maximum of 200 people, whichever is greater. The 200-person limit includes the persons conducting the funeral service.
Funeral services held at an outdoor space do not have occupant density limits and do not have to collect contact information but must comply with other requirements of this Direction.
The number of attendees permitted at wakes, memorial events or gatherings after the funeral and similar events will be determined by the location it is held, for example, in a person’s home or at a business.
Further information is below.
Measures to follow for the funeral
- Retain a register of current contact information about all guests, patrons and staff who attend the funeral, including current contact details. Funeral organisers are encouraged to consider the use of the Check In Qld app which offers a contactless, free, secure and convenient way of collecting details. Information would be used by Queensland Health only for contact tracing purposes if needed.
- People 70 years of age and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 55 years and over, or people severely immunocompromised, such as with cancer, are advised to consider their own circumstances before attending a funeral.
- Attendees arriving from overseas on a quarantine free flight and from a safe travel zone country can enter Queensland without the need to quarantine and can attend the funeral.
- Attendees who have arrived from anywhere else overseas in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland, or did not travel to Australia on a quarantine free flight, will be required to undertake a 14 day period of self-quarantine as outlined in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction.
- Attendees who are arriving from interstate may not be permitted entry to Queensland if they are coming from a COVID-19 hotspot. Interstate arrivals must obtain a Queensland Border Declaration Pass and undertake a period of self-quarantine if required.
- No-one who is sick or has COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, should attend.
- No-one who has been in contact in the last 14 days with a known case of COVID-19 should attend.
- Provide alcohol-based hand sanitiser and ensuring hygiene facilities are well stocked.
- If anyone becomes unwell in the 14 days after attending the funeral, they should contact Queensland health or their General Practitioner.
Wakes, memorials, receptions and all other events/activities after the funeral
Wakes, memorials, receptions and all other events/activities occurring after a ceremony will have different permitted limits depending on where they are held.
In accordance with the Movement and Gathering Direction, there are no limits on private ceremonies conducted in public outdoor areas. Ceremonies at a private residence or non-residence can have a maximum of 100 people attend including the service director.
When an area is declared a restricted area, private wakes, memorials, receptions and all other events/activities that might occur after the funeral in public outdoor areas and spaces will have a reduced attendance capacity that can attend. This includes the service director. Restricted areas are determined by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website. There are currently no restricted areas.
Where a wake, memorial or reception is held at a restricted business, e.g. a function venue or pub, and the business is operating under a COVID Safe Industry Plan, the plan will detail the number of attendees permitted. If the business is not operating under a COVID Safe Industry Plan, the number of attendees would be determined by occupant density requirements, depending on the size of the venue.
The above measures for funerals should also be adopted for events held after the funeral.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us at Newhaven funerals on
Article by Tim Connolly – Newhaven Funerals
 Tim Connolly – Funeral Director Newhaven Funerals Brisbane & Gold Coast. Growing up around funerals since the age of six allows Tim a unique understanding of how a family-owned funeral business should be. Since leaving school in 1992, Tim has been deeply involved in all aspects of operating their family-owned business, including operating crematoriums, memorial gardens, and a pet cremation business. Tim is always available to assist all clients with any request. |
