Social distancing

Today we said goodbye to my brother in law. We thought it was going to be a surreal experience with only six mourners permitted at the funeral due to Covid-19 regulations. For Robin's funeral there were four of us. His brother, my husband, his sister, and a good friend of his. We had to go in our own cars, no posh funeral car for us to travel behind the hearse. We had to wait at the cemetery gates until a guy said we could enter. He was very respectful as he crossed us off a list. At the chapel we stood the required distance apart for the three households. The Vicar explained what would happen whilst we waited for the hearse to arrive. There were six chairs placed in the chapel six foot apart but if I wished I could put my chair next to my husband's. I said no it would be alright. When Robin arrived the Funeral director explained to us they would take the coffin into the chapel and then we could go in. He was wheeled in and I felt a pang of regret that they hadn't carried him in on their shoulders.  No hymns to be sung as singing isn't permitted but they played the music chosen for the service and the vicar read the eulogy. The worst thing was I couldn't comfort my sister in law as she shed tears. 

No wake of course. Robin died just before his 70th birthday and it would have been good to raise a glass and toast his life with family and friends. Things are supposed to be easing in the summer. We'll have to wait and see.

In memory of Robin.