A Bendigo funeral director is calling on Premier Daniel Andrews to allow an increased number of mourners to gather at funerals.
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Bendigo Funerals owner and director Simon Mulqueen said he thinks allowing just 10 people to mourn at a funeral has been too harsh on families.
"It has been very stressful and distressing for families who haven't been able to have more than 10 people at funerals," Mr Mulqueen said.
"We have been actively lobbying the government and the Prime Minister to relax those requirements."
Last Friday, as part of his three-step plan for Australia's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced more people will be allowed to attend funerals.
Step one of the plan, which has yet to be ratified by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, would allow up to 20 mourners to attend funerals held indoors and 30 mourners to attend funerals held outdoors.
At present, no more than 10 people can attend a funeral in Victoria.
Step two of the plan would allow up to 50 mourners to attend a funeral.
Mr Mulqueen says increasing the number of mourners to 30 will at least allow most families to attend the funeral of a loved one.
"Ten people certainly didn't cover most families and it was very hard on them," he said.
"The whole process has caused a lot of additional grief and distress over and above what people were already facing."
The funeral director, who this year celebrated his 40th year in the industry, said he has been advocating for up to 100 people to attend a funeral, so long as attendees abide by the four square metre rule.
In lieu of physical attendance, many people have tuned in to Bendigo Funerals' video streams.
"The video streaming has been a positive thing for people who can't attend on the day," Mr Mulqueen said.
"At least they have been able to feel like they are present.
"We have had people tuning in from Italy, Spain and all over the place."
