More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A funeral director is holding services remotely because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Robert Kent Funeral Services, at Dover and Hythe, will relay services to mourners via videolink.
This will save people crowding together in chapels at a time when they are being asked to self-isolate to prevent further infections.
The company's director, Robert Kent, got the idea when one funeral with 300 mourners was reduced to 20 or 30 because of the pandemic.
This service, for a man from the Dover area aged over 80, is booked for Barham Crematorium next week.
It will go ahead but with mourners able to follow it via videolink at home.
Mr Kent told Kent Online: "This seems to make sense as it would save people, many elderly, having to travel from different parts of the country, which usually happens with funerals.
"When I mentioned the videolink idea to other customers later they all agreed with it."
The firm will make no extra charge for this form of service.
Mr Kent said: "It looks as if all our funerals are going to be like this for the foreseeable future.
"People who are more vulnerable to colds, such as the elderly, are afraid to travel because of the coronavirus.
"With the gentleman's funeral next week more and more of the mourners called to say they weren't coming."
Robert Kent Funeral Services has parlours in both the High Streets of Dover and Hythe.
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