A funeral is to take place Cheshunt Jewish cemetery without any mourners at the graveside amid fears of the coronavirus spread, the JC understands.

The burial of a man, who was his 70s, is to take place at the Reform cemetery on Friday with his devastated widow and family and other mourners only able to watch via a video link.

A rabbi connected with Edgware and Hendon Reform synagogue has insisted that mourners cannot attend in person because of the threat posed by Covid-19.

The funeral will be filmed for to follow the service online as it takes place.

Sources have told the JC that the widow was "upset" she would not be able to attend her husband’s funeral but understood the need also to protect mourners and the rabbi from the risk of contracting Covid-19 themselves.

The use of video links will also enable mourners, including some who live abroad, to follow the service.

The JC contacted Edgware and Hendon Reform and Cheshunt Cemetery for comment.

It comes after the United Synagogue announced it was postponing all stonesettings and limiting attendance at funerals to immediate family until social distancing requirements are relaxed.