Arranging a funeral
Taking funeral services for people who are bereaved is one of the
greatest privileges offered to clergy in the Church of England. Not
many people know that anyone can have a funeral service in their
parish church, whether the deceased person was a member of that
church or not. Services in church are followed by the Committal (the
final part of the service) either in the Crematorium chapel or at the
graveside. For many people the opportunity to remember their loved
one with a service in church is an idea that just hasn’t crossed their
minds. And very many of those who do opt for a church service are
pleased to have done so, saying it was a great help for them.
With a service in church we can spend more time beforehand and
afterwards sharing our grief and our memories; we are not limited
to the time allowed within the crematorium chapel; and we can be
more creative in how we construct the service so that it reflects as
best we can the person who has died.
Whether you choose to have a service in church or not, we are
always pleased to help families through this most sensitive and
difficult of times. Our prayer is that a funeral service will bring
comfort to those who mourn, whilst enabling us to give thanks to
God for the gift of life. Funerals mark the end of the human part of
our journey and we commend the person on their way into God’s
merciful and eternal love.
For further information about Funerals do have a look at the Church of England’s website www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents or contact the
priest in charge.
