Leeds Man who lost his wife to Covid-19 calls for mourners to be allowed inside chapels

  • Chris Kiddey reports.

A retired Army Major from Leeds is calling for mourners to be allowed inside chapels at crematoriums.

Gordon Bonner lost his wife Muriel to Covid-19 last month and her funeral's due to be held on Wednesday (20 May).

Gordon and Muriel Bonner had been married for 63-years, but he won't be allowed inside the chapel at Rawdon Crematorium for her final committal.

Leeds Council say they want to bring back chapel services as soon as it's safe but say they're dealing with a high number of deaths.

Gordon and Muriel Bonner had been married for 63 years.

He was with his 83-year wife when she died in St James's Hospital in Leeds.

Gordon believes mourners could safely be allowed inside such a service in Leeds. He says the problem is not down to a lack of staff but a lack of leadership.

Gordon and his wife Muriel Bonner

Cremation policies vary between each local authority. Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees Councils allow just 10 mourners outside a chapel for a short outdoor service, although chapel services are resuming in Kirklees on June the 1st.

In Lincoln, chapel services have been continuing with up to 16 mourners allowed inside and the chapel being sanitised between services.

In a statement Leeds City Council said: