Several funerals that have taken place over lockdown in Penarth have shown how local communities are adapting to the challenges of coronavirus and Penarth's Co-op Funeral Care has now launched a range of services to help make these arrangements easier.

Funeral cortèges in Penarth for well-known resident Peter Goodfellow drew crowds to line the streets to pay their respects.

And on May 18th neighbours and friends of Alan Jones will see a virtual funeral and a motorcycle escort as the hearse makes its way through Penarth.

These are challenging times for funeral directors and one of the country's leading companies is meeting it head-on with a series of innovative solutions.

The Co-op has launched a range of services and packages for mourners unable to attend funerals due to the coronavirus lockdown.

With churches and crematoriums closed to the public during the pandemic and a spike in deaths, funeral directors are trying to cope with the new rules.

Co-op said it would be offering cortege services to pass by loved one's favourite place, or pass the family home to allow those isolating a chance to pay their last respects.

The firm added it has also become the first national funeral provider to introduce a direct burial service, which does not have an attended service.

And with flowers in short supply, Co-op added it would team up with suppliers to ensure families and friends have easy access.

The changes come as Co-op launched a new Hardship Fund, to provide families of keyworkers who have died due to Covid-19 and who are in financial hardship, with a £250 contribution towards funeral costs.

Meanwhile, a group of Conservative MPs have called on the Church of England to ease restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak to allow small-scale funerals in churches.

The 36 MPs say clergy should be allowed to enter their churches to officiate at funerals while observing safety measures.

Funerals can currently only take place at the graveside or the crematorium, although some are only allowing guests to remain outside, socially distancing.

Sam Tyrer, managing director for Co-op Funeralcare said: "We are arranging funerals in a way we would never have thought possible just weeks ago so that bereaved families can continue to honour their loved ones in a unique and beautiful way and say their best possible goodbyes.

"Whilst communities are not able to come together as they usually would to pay their respects, we have made sure that there are other ways for those impacted to be part of their loved one's final journey."

Social distancing restrictions have meant floral tributes for funerals have hard to find.

In response to this, Co-op has partnered with Flowerbox to ensure it is able to continue to provide families with access to a range of fresh floral tributes on all funerals nationwide.

The company is also lining up remembrance services for future dates once lockdown is lifted, with other ideas under consideration.

The nearest Co-op funeral care home is James Summers Funeralcare, Penarth, Lavernock Court Funeral Home, Lavernock Road, Penarth, CF64 5UP. You can call them 24 hours a day on 029 2070 5687.