Webcams ‘could be installed at Sheffield crematoriums’ in case of coronavirus lockdown

A Sheffield funeral director has called for webcams to be installed at crematoriums across the city in case bereaved families are unable to attend services for their loved ones due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Michael Fogg, who runs Michael Fogg Family Funeral Directors on Woodhouse Road, said webcam viewings could soon become ‘the only option’ for families if the country was plunged into lockdown.

Mr Fogg said he approached Sheffield City Council with the idea and has managed to obtain funding for two webcams at City Road and Hutcliffe Wood crematoriums.

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He said: “I hope we don't need to use webcams at funerals but I believe we should be ready in case it becomes the only option.”

Funeral director Michael Fogg, pictured, said he wanted to ensure families could be there for their loved one's funeral if coronavirus plunged the country into lockdown.Funeral director Michael Fogg, pictured, said he wanted to ensure families could be there for their loved one's funeral if coronavirus plunged the country into lockdown.
Funeral director Michael Fogg, pictured, said he wanted to ensure families could be there for their loved one's funeral if coronavirus plunged the country into lockdown.

Mr Fogg added he’d be working later this week to get the webcams installed so that the provision was there if needed.

The funeral director also said his company continues to operate ‘as normal’ and that his fleet of limousines were being cleaned inbetween each funeral.

But when questioned if funerals could be postponed due to the outbreak, he replied: “We do keep people in our care for weeks and sometimes a months, but in no way could this be possible with a pandemic.

“There would be an environmental health issue.”

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Sheffield remains the place with the largest amount of cases of COVID-19 in South Yorkshire- 15 as of yesterday.

Addressing the country yesterday evening, PM Boris Johnson advised residents to ‘avoid’ the office, pubs and restaurants as the fight against coronavirus continues.