The doves of independent funeral directors A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service have finally been allowed to take to the skies again after a five-month lockdown of their own.

The strict ‘stay-in-the-dovecote’ rules were introduced for poultry and captive birds across Great Britain in December to limit the risk of avian influenza spreading to other birds and humans after an outbreak was declared.

As one of a limited number of funeral directors to offer an in-house dove service, A.W. Lymn prides itself on its flock of 60 doves, which are kept in the garden of company chairman Nigel Lymn Rose.

Nigel said: “We are delighted our beloved feathered friends can take to the sky again after many months of lockdown.

“We are very fond of our doves, which we have had for nearly 20 years now. They are kept in spacious aviaries with outdoor space in our gardens in Bestwood and Mansfield to ensure we can offer them the best care.

“We made sure we were vigilant and followed the restrictions carefully to avoid causing the disease to spread, especially as we also have other poultry, such as chickens and peacocks, at home.”

The release of a white dove at a funeral or memorial service is designed to bring peace and comfort to the bereaved, as the symbolic spirit of their loved one ascends to the heavens. Nigel said they were pleased to be offering the personal service once again as it is always highly requested.

He added: “It is never easy to say goodbye to those we love, but in addition to flowers, a white dove release at a funeral or memorial can serve as a comforting and symbolic gesture that their spirit lives on after their passing.”

The doves are personally trained and bred by the Lymn family and only used within 15 miles from the family home in Arnold to ensure they always return home safely. A flock of birds has also been introduced at the Mansfield home of senior funeral director Jonathan Barker to enable the dove service to be offered to an extended region.