THE normal funeral webcast fee for ceremonies at Accrington Crematorium has been waived during the coronavirus crisis.

The £50 charge for a high-quality live transmission - £75 with a 28-day view again facility - has been dropped by Hyndburn Council while the Covid-19 pandemic limits attendances.

It is a help bereaved and grieving families under the current lockdown rules.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said; “We want to make it as as easy as we can, working within Government guidelines on numbers attending ceremonies, for bereaved family and friends to be able to pay their final respects to their loved ones and be part of the service, even if they cannot attend in person.

"Waiving the fee and making the service freely available via the high-tech audiovisual system at the crematorium means that anyone who can’t attend in person can log on and watch the funeral take place.

"It’s a small thing in such a sad and difficult time, but anything we can do to help people mourn loved ones during this time of crisis is welcome.”