Executive’s funeral advice webpage vanishes – and is now buried elsewhere

The webpage – entitled ‘Guidance for bereaved about funeral arrangements’ – was online until at least Tuesday evening, and a copy was saved by the News Letter.

However, it was then removed and the link now redirects to a more general page which gives advice not just on funerals but on many other aspects of attempting to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Much of the original advice has now been dropped from the more general Executive webpage – but with no public announcement as to whether such advice no longer applies, or if it has been removed in error.

Most of it is, however, buried in a less accessible place, which require two further clicks to arrive at a detailed document drawn up for funeral directors rather than for the general public.

The original advice said that there should be no wake and that funeral arrangements should not be advertised in advance – two aspects of the advice broken by Sinn Fein. Both of those aspects of the advice had now been removed.

The News Letter asked The Executive Office why, and on whose instruction, the specific page about funeral advice was removed.

And, amid confusion among the public about what the Executive is now asking them to do, we asked Stormont Castle to clarify whether the guidance around funerals which was in place last week has now been dropped.

In a statement, Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill’s department said: “The nidirect website is regularly updated, with content reviewed and amended on an ongoing basis.

“The Department of Health has published updated guidance for funeral directors.

“This clarifies the current advice regarding funerals, wakes and other mourning practices.

“The nidirect website links to this new comprehensive guidance.”

That advice says it is “strongly recommended” that wakes should not be held, despite there having been a significant wake for Mr Storey. It also says that remains should not be brought home, despite that having happened with Mr Storey – with senior Sinn Fein figures Martina Anderson and Gerry Kelly in attendance.

And it says that there should be no lifting of the coffin – as Gerry Adams and other senior republicans did last week – unless the pallbearers are all from the same household.

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