One of the country's biggest operators of private crematoriums has banned mourners from kissing and hugging because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Westerleigh Group has introduced new strict social distancing measures for all future funerals as fears over COVID-19 intensify.
The killer virus has claimed 137 lives in the UK and there have been in total 2,626 cases.
A spokesman for the company said: "We are not restricting the number of mourners, but we are asking everyone to observe a sensible space between each other when they attend a service.
"We are also asking for anyone who has the symptoms of the coronavirus not to attend any services.
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"We want to reduce the chances of the virus being passed on.
"We will ask mourners to avoid hand-shaking and hugging, which we understand is difficult at such a time, and we will also be encouraging hand-washing at the facilities we have made available."
The Westerleigh Group, which was started in 1992 on a 25-acre site in Westerleigh, Bristol, looks after more than 40,000 funerals each year.
The news comes as the Church of England may limit the number of of people attending church weddings during the coronavirus crisis to the legal minimum of five - the priest, the bride and groom and two witnesses.
Apart from the couple themselves, the other people attending weddings should observe social distance as much as possible, the Church of England guidance says.
Traditions such as the priest touching the rings or the couple's hands as part of a prayer or blessing are not required, and the reading of banns will not be possible as public worship services have been suspended.
But couples can instead apply for a licence through a different procedure and those whose banns have already been read can proceed.
The guidance recommends streaming where possible but acknowledges couples may wish to postpone their wedding or proceed but hold a public blessing at a later date.
The church recommends similar measures for baptisms, with numbers limited to the candidate, their parents (or guardians or carers), the godparents and the minister.
The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, said: "Couples and parents, friends and families will have been planning for months, even years for their special moment, whether a wedding or a christening.
"Now it can go ahead - but with only the minimum required in attendance. You may need to cancel or postpone.
"Whatever decision is made, God's love and blessing will still surround all those who would have been there that day. Prayers will still be offered, and there will be a special day to look forward to in the future.
"We encourage those who would have been there to hold couples and families in their prayers, and pray that everyone will know God's love is holding them at this time."
The church recommends similar measures for baptisms, with numbers limited to the candidate, their parents (or guardians or carers), the godparents and the minister.
The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, said: "Couples and parents, friends and families will have been planning for months, even years for their special moment, whether a wedding or a christening.
"Now it can go ahead - but with only the minimum required in attendance. You may need to cancel or postpone.
"Whatever decision is made, God's love and blessing will still surround all those who would have been there that day. Prayers will still be offered, and there will be a special day to look forward to in the future.
"We encourage those who would have been there to hold couples and families in their prayers, and pray that everyone will know God's love is holding them at this time."
