Cops storm a cemetery and break up a funeral where 37 extra people turned up to farewell a beloved local - after a council worker dobbed them in
- Fifty people gathered on March 27 to say goodbye to a North Queensland local
- An exemption had only been made for 13 people, three more than rules allow
- Social distancing laws mean only ten people can attend a funeral service
- A Burdekin Council worker snapped pictures and police were called to funeral
A funeral was broken up by police for breaking social distancing laws after a council worker snapped a photo of the service.
The March 27 service for a beloved local at Ayr Cemetery in North Queensland was given an exemption to social distancing laws which prohibit more then ten attendees at funerals.
But 37 extra people turned up after news of the funeral spread, only for police to arrive cemetery when a council worker reported the large crowd.
One of the exemptions was for a funeral that took place on March 27 so that 13 people could attend the memorial at Ayr Cemetery
A witness told the Townsville Bulletin social distancing was followed at the funeral however the council worker believed the mourners were in breach of social distancing laws.
Police were called but no fines were issued, a Queensland Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
Burdekin Funerals director Neville Boyle, said families were left heartbroken by the limits on mourners put in place due to coronavirus.
'We feel for the families, they can't grieve,' he said.
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He has submitted five applications for funeral exemptions - three for Indigenous families.
Burdekin Shire Council CEO Terry Brennan told Daily Mail Australia in a statement the council worker wasn't aware an exemption had been granted as no paperwork had been submitted to them.
'While many funeral patrons followed social distancing regulations, others didn't - at which stage the Council Officer took photos and notified police,' Mr Brennan said.
However Burdekin Funerals, in North Queensland, director Neville Boyle, said families have been left heartbroken because of it
'Council had contacted all Funeral Directors earlier that week to ensure they were aware of the strict new restrictions, and informed them of their responsibility to enforce these guidelines.'
Close to 140 funeral exemptions have been granted in Queensland since the funeral limit was put in place in late March.
Scott Morrison announced a nationwide ban on large gatherings as part of 'stage two' restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, but states and territories can make exemptions.
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