Attending funerals during coronavirus crisis 'a postcode lottery' say families

• Video report by Sally Simpson

Families mourning the death of loved ones say it's a postcode lottery when it comes to being allowed to attend funeral services.

During the coronavirus crisis, government guidelines say mourners must observe social distancing with a maximum of 10 people allowed inside chapels. However, some councils are going further than that and banning entry altogether.

In York, Kelsey Dobson started a campaign to overturn that ruling and managed to secure a compromise.

After York Council banned entry to its crematoria altogether, she started a petition calling on the Council to allow a family funeral for her uncle.

Her petition has been signed more than 4,000 times.

York Council says its policy of "closed cremations" will continue.

Policy on funerals still varies around the region. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has written to all councils urging them to allow close family to attend funerals in person in line with social distancing guidelines. He added: "We will continue to work closely with councils to ensure that safe and sensitive measures are put in place all across the country."

Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, is urging councils to "apply more common sense" in this situation.