Forum News

Infection Prevention & Control and Outbreak Measures Workshops: Faith Settings

THIFF and Tower Hamlets Council are holding two expert-led workshops on preventing infection and controlling outbreaks during the pandemic in faith settings. Wednesday 16 September, 11-12 is on training for infection prevention and control.  Register here Wednesday 23 September, 11-12 is on : what to do in an outbreak. Register here  Both sessions will be […]

Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme

The Home Office has recently opened this year’s edition of the Places of Worship (POW) protective security funding scheme – a government commitment in the hate crime action plan. The scheme provides funding for protective security measures to places of worship and associated faith community centres that are vulnerable to hate crime. Potential improvements can […]

THIFF, Tower Hamlets Council & Public Health Joint Statement: Reopening of Places of Worship

We are very grateful to the faith communities in Tower Hamlets for closing their places of worship during the lockdown period in order to protect both congregations and the wider community from the spread of coronavirus. We know how difficult the loss of collective worship within these spaces has been, especially with major religious observations […]

Multi Faith Statement: Black Lives Matter

THIFF would like to share this statement – a multi faith solidarity statement to Black Lives Matter.  We fully stand behind the views.  Please click here to read the statement in full.    

Barts Health NHS Trust: Sending a Message to a Loved One

Barts Health NHS Trust acknowledge that it is a worrying time for everyone at present, especially for those with a friend or relative in hospital, with visitor restrictions in place across the hospitals. Speaking to someone about your relatives care The Trust ask that you do not call the hospital about your loved ones care. […]

We Stand Together in our Grief

People of all faiths, and those of none, are now required to follow new guidance and restrictions to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19. This is most apparent when we cannot visit loved ones in hospital, be with them at the time of death and hold funerals as we would wish them to be. […]

Deaths and Funerals During Coronavirus

THIFF & Tower Hamlets Council have issued updated guidance (updated 15 May 2020) Register a death Families of those who have sadly passed away will not need to visit the registry office. Please book an appointment online for a telephone death registration. If the death is due to the coronavirus, the borough’s pandemic multiagency response teams (PMART) will take […]

Advice for Ramadan 2020 by Barts NHS Trust

In 2020 the Ramadan will take place between the evening of Thursday 23 April and end on the evening of Saturday 23 May. The practice of fasting is an important part of Ramadan. This involves the complete abstinence from food, drink and smoking between sunrise and sunset over the month. It’s also a time for […]

Changes to Registering Deaths – Guidance from Tower Hamlets Council and Faith Forums For London

Registering a Death It is a legal requirement that all deaths should be registered as soon as possible but preferably within 5 days (unless the death has been reported to the coroner). Following government advice, the registry office is currently closed to the public but new legislation means that deaths can now be registered over […]

Advice for African Caribbean Faith Groups: Funerals During Coronavirus

Reverend Alan Green, Chair of THIFF, was recently interviewed by Premier Radio regarding sending out a message to local African Caribbean groups about new funeral guidance during the pandemic. Many of these smaller groups are unaware of the current government guidelines that say that funeral directors and faith leaders are advised to restrict the number […]