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Post date: 15-Apr-2020 20:28:05
We were pretty sure it was coming, but it was still a shock when the news came. Aunty Dot died this afternoon. Matt Hancock has promised that in future nobody will have to die without any of their family with them, but his COVID briefing this evening came too late to change the rules for Aunty Dot. I'm not sure who in the family could have been there with her in any case. We're too far away (and have to stay at home to shield Jonah). Joey, Ruth and James are trying to avoid any possible contact with the virus to protect Ruth's mum. Only Dominic and Lucy could have taken the risk of going into the Care Home, and I wouldn't want them to have to shoulder that responsibility at their age. So it's probably better that Dot was left in the hands of the carers who'd been looking after her for the last few years and who knew her as well as any of us. Now we have to wait to find out what can be done in the way of a funeral. The rules say that only members of the deceased person's household and close family members can attend and numbers must be restricted to ensure social distancing. moreover, churches are all closed so the options are a graveside ceremony or a cremation. I’m not sure what counts as a close family member. Joey and I must be the closest, as nephew and niece, I suppose.