Video shows Milton Keynes funeral being interrupted as relatives are forbidden from comforting each other

An official at Crownhill Crematorium intervened sharply when the son moved his chair next to his weeping mum during his father's funeral service.

But the pair, who have been in the same support bubble for weeks, were swiftly reprimanded by a member of staff and told to move their chairs back.

A video of the funeral, complete with the intervention, is being circulated on social media and has already caused an outcry.

The son had not left his mum's side for two weeks before the funeral and was devastated he was not allowed to sit with her.

He said: “We are absolutely heartbroken...I can sit in a restaurant, I can sit in a pub, I can live at her house, I can travel in a limousine to the crematorium with six (people).

"But when I want to give my mum a cuddle at dad's funeral, a man flies out mid service shouting stop the service and makes us split.

"It scared my daughter and shocked everyone in the room. This is not how funerals should be and with the guidelines in place for pubs, bars, public transport etc, how this can carry on at funerals is beyond belief. It was a devastating day made even worse.”

Local Conservative group leader, Councillor Alex Walker, shared the video on social media and is now raising the issue with MK Council, which is responsible for Crownhill Crematorium.

He said: "It's a horrible sign of the times where common sense has seemingly disappeared. These people were in a bubble together, to support each other through the death of a loved one."

Cllr Walker added: "I'll be asking for a review of how MK Council is holding weddings and funerals. It's essential we keep people safe and it's essential we follow the rules, but it's equally important we try and live with the virus.

"It's been with us for six months, we are getting better at living with it. I'm confident Mk Council can hold funerals and weddings in a better, more compassionate way while sticking to the rules designed to keep us safe."

Members of the public were furious when they watched the video and flooded social media with comments.

One said: "This is common sense gone completely crazy."

Cllr Walker said he had recently attended a funeral at neighbouring Northampton Crematorium where mourners who were in the same support bubble had been allowed to sit together.

The Citizen is awaiting comment from MK Council.