Highlights
- While no specific advice has been issued by the medical experts’ panel on visiting gravesites, general social distancing restrictions apply across the country.
- As recently as last week, the state of Victoria had a ban enforced on cemetery visits, which has now been revoked.
- A Greek Orthodox priest in Melbourne says the community sentiment had been overwhelmingly against the ban and urges the faithful to practice common sense when attending to religious duties.
The way we mourn the loss of loved ones is one of the things that has fundamentally changed under the measures enforced to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Restrictions on funeral attendance with a maximum of 10 mourners – or potentially even less when funerals are conducted indoors where the four square metres per person rule applies – have been consistent across the country.
But what happens when people want to visit a gravesite to place fresh flowers and light an oil candle - as common for mourners of Christian Orthodox faith - or just attend the site to pay their respects to a loved one?
Are visits to cemeteries allowed under COVID-19 restrictions?
“There is no specific AHPPC [Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] advice in relation to people visiting gravesites, however, the general advice around and apply. States and territories may have their own rules which are relevant for their particular circumstances,” a spokesperson for the Department of Health told SBS Greek.
Melbourne-based Greek Orthodox priest Manuel Lykopandis says that there is confusion among the community members in Victoria regarding this.
Source: Facebook/Agio Dimitri Greek Orthodox Church - Moonee Ponds
Reverend Lykopandis, parish priest of the St. Dimitri church in Moone Ponds, informed the faithful via social media that according to the Greater Metropolitan Cemetery Trust, “visiting gravesites to place fresh flowers and lighting oil lamps is regarded as non-essential".
In his post, which attracted many comments from critics of the restrictive measure, Reverend Lykopandis also mentioned that people had been fined at a cemetery in Melbourne’s north-west.
A Victorian Government factsheet published on 11 April and available online was stating that “visiting a grave or memorial is not one of the four reasons” allowing Victorians to leave home under the COVID-19 restrictions.
However, since then the ban has been revoked, as reflected on the , and replaced with the advice encouraging people “to delay visiting a cemetery”.
Screenshot of factsheet version previously published on the Victorian Department of Health website Source: health.vic.gov.au
Why was the ban in Victoria revoked?
The Victorian Department of Health did not comment on whether community feedback was the reason for revoking the ban, but reiterated the state’s position.
“To stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone is being asked to stay at home,” the said in a statement. It also recommends alternative ways of remembering loved ones while staying at home.
For anyone proceeding with a cemetery visit, they are reminded that, as per the advice, physical distancing and social distancing restrictions still apply.
What happened in between the ban and its replacement with an advice to delay the visit, says Reverend Lykopandis, is that authorities were made aware the issue was causing confusion and that many in the community opposed it.
“If we can still go to the supermarket, there is no point in banning cemetery visits," he says.
On a practical aspect, he explains, “there are usually very few people at a cemetery”, but importantly he stresses visiting the grave of a loved one, “helps many people with their mental health”.
“It provides them with calmness,” Rev Lykopandis says.
A member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the St. Dimitri church, had also started an online petition for the 'right to visit family members’ gravesites', which garnered more than 1,000 signatures by the end of last week.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Reverend Lykopandis was also denied entry at a cemetery in Melbourne’s Fawkner suburb.
“There was a sign at the gate reading ‘Stay Home – Funerals accepted – Fines apply’ and a security guard kindly stopped me.”
But he says that media attention on the issue had brought the desired change.
He also received a call from Victoria Police on Monday, informing him that no record had been found confirming the allegations of people being fined during a cemetery visit and that if there had been any infringement notices issued for this reason, they would be withdrawn.
In New South Wales, the police have addressed specifically the query about visiting cemeteries during the COVID-19 outbreak, on their .
Source: Facebook/NSW Police Force
“A lot of people have been calling me to ask if it’s OK to visit a cemetery,” he says.
“I can now tell them they can, but I also advise them to be careful and exercise common sense.
“I think what authorities want to avoid is people doing regular long visits every day or have a group gathering around a gravesite”.
Guidelines for other states/territories
- ACT: As stated on the territory’s “you can still visit your loved one’s grave or memorial at: Gungahlin cemetery, Woden cemetery, Hall cemetery.” Physical distancing and gathering restrictions still apply.
- NT: The advice provided by the Department of the Chief Minister is: “Territorians are urged to stay home if they can. All Territorians are urged to follow the expert health advice to limit outdoor gatherings to two people, except for your immediate family. This includes cemeteries.”
- WA: According to the state’s COVID-19 enquiries line, there is no specific advice issued for cemeteries with the public directed to the .
- QLD: Queensland Health advises people to stay at home as much as possible, stay in your suburb, and delay any non-essential activities. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “If you do visit a cemetery, social distancing restrictions apply and it is recommended you only visit if it’s within your suburb, just like if you are going to the supermarket, or to exercise. You can attend with members of your immediate household or with one person that is not a member of your household, just like you would if you were exercising, and maintain 1.5 metres between yourself and others. People should not be congregating at cemeteries for long periods of time or meeting others. Some cemeteries may require you to call ahead to the cemetery operator (such as your local Council) if you plan to visit."
- TAS: According to the Public Health hotline, no specific advice has been issued for cemetery visits, with people still required to maintain social distancing and follow restrictions on gatherings.
