Captain Sir Tom Moore’s funeral will take place on Saturday - with online book of condolence for public

A “small family funeral” for Captain Sir Tom Moore will take place on Saturday (27 Feb), his family has announced. The 100-year-old Army veteran - who became known by many across the nation early on in the Covid pandemic last year, when he raised nearly £33million for NHS Charities by walking 100 laps of his garden - died in Bedford Hospital on 2 February. ‘We understand so many people wish to pay their respects to our father’ Captain Sir Tom Moore’s funeral will be in line with current coronavirus restrictions, and will be attended by eight members of his immediate family. His two daughters, Lucy Teixeira and Hannah Ingram-Moore, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren will attend the ceremony. Representatives of the Armed Forces will also perform ceremonial duties at the funeral in recognition of the veteran’s Army service and ties to the military. The family has said that The Captain Tom Foundation was working with the NHS, the military and government to develop a fitting memorial for Capt Sir Tom. Capt Sir Tom was originally from Keighley near Bradford, and his family has said that once Covid-19 restrictions allow it, his ashes will be interred in Yorkshire with his parents and grandparents in the Moore family plot. In light of Covid restrictions, Captain Tom’s family has asked the public not to attend the funeral and to "continue to support the NHS by staying at home". In a statement, his daughters said: "Sadly, like so many other families affected by the pandemic, we have no choice but to hold a small family funeral. "Whilst we understand so many people wish to pay their respects to our father, we ask that the public and the press continue to support the NHS by staying at home." However, the family has set up an online book of condolence which people can sign, as they said so many people had asked what they could do to honour Capt Tom. The Captain Tom Foundation website says: “We have been contacted by so many of you who wish to honour Captain Tom with your beautiful words and pictures. Please leave your messages here so we can all enjoy these wonderful tributes.”