Mourners are BANNED from reciting the Lord’s Prayer by workers at South Wales crematorium because it counts as ‘chanting’ and could spread coronavirus
Grieving funeral-goers were banned from praying at a service because they were told it could spread coronavirus.
Minister Alison Davies, 53, was left in tears after she and the mourners were told off for praying at the funeral of a 94-year-old woman.
The heads of council-run Coychurch Crematorium, in Bridgend, South Wales, claimed that if more than one person prayed then it counted as 'chanting' and wasn't allowed.
Minister Davies told The Sun: 'When I started reciting it, mourners stood up and joined in.
'The family were only mumbling it quietly and were all socially distanced and wearing masks.
Minister Alison Davies, 53, was left in tears after she and the mourners were told off for praying at the funeral of a 94-year-old woman at Coychurch Crematorium, in Bridgend, South Wales
'But the chapel superintendent wagged her finger at me and said ''you can't do that''.'
She added that it was 'ridiculous' to ban the Lord's Prayer when grieving loved ones are saying goodbye to someone.
Bridgend council has since apologised for causing any upset but insisted bosses were just following rules which state that only one person can speak at a time.
However, the Welsh Government has said that praying in a 'low tone' doesn't breach these rules.
Bridgend council has since apologised for causing any upset but insisted bosses were just following rules which state that only one person can speak at a time (stock picture)
A council spokesman said that they believed that group prayer would be considered chanting under the coronavirus legislation.
They told the BBC: 'We appreciate the Lord's Prayer is of great comfort to many of those attending services and we are sorry if our actions caused any upset,' he said.
'We ensured at no point was the service interrupted, only gently informing the member of clergy as they left the chapel that next time, the Lord's Prayer can only be read out by one individual.'
However, the Welsh Government said that although chanting is restricted at funerals, speaking in a low tone to pray 'would not be considered against the guidance.'