FUNERAL services are still set to go ahead on Monday as the country gathers to pay tribute to the Queen.

Worcester City Council said Astwood Crematorium will remain open on September 19 adding that any funerals planned for that day will be honoured.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place from 11am at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Rumours circulating on social media during the week had claimed that funerals, burials and cremations were not allowed to take place on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

While some funeral services scheduled to take place on the day of the Queen’s funeral will be rescheduled, there is no formal requirement for all services to be cancelled.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said: “As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the state funeral.

“They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.”

According to national mourning guidance published by the government after the Queen’s death: “There is no expectation on the public or organisations to observe specific behaviours during the mourning period.”

As a mark of respect, much of the country will shut down on Monday with a number of retailers and venues closing for the Queen’s funeral while hospital appointments, court hearings and sporting events have also been cancelled.

Sainsbury’s, Argos, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl, Primark, Ikea, John Lewis and Costa Coffee are among the retailers keeping doors shut on September 19 with larger Tesco supermarkets and most Waitrose and WH Smith stores also closing.

Major cinema chains including Cineworld, Odeon and Showcase will also close on Monday.