ARRANGING A FUNERAL

‘For I am convinced that neither death,

nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present

nor things to come, nor powers, nor height,

nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Romans 8.38-9

Planning a Funeral Service

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life of someone at the end of their journey in this word and to commend them into God’s keeping.

There is a very clear framework for the Funeral service, but there are many possibilities and choices within this. Each funeral service is different, trying to reflect the personality of the person who has died and the circumstances of their death. One of our Clergy will be happy to advise and assist you in choosing suitable readings, hymns and prayers and in ensuring that the life of the person who has died is celebrated and remembered appropriately. Don’t hesitate to voice your queries, concerns and special requests. Church of England Funeral services are particularly sensitive in their provision for funerals of children, and those who have died in especially distressing circumstances, such as an accident or an act of violence or suicide.

If the person who has died was a regular communicant, the funeral may take the form of a Communion service.

Church of England Fees

A Service in Church or Crematorium £96

Burial in churchyard following on from service in church £184

Burial of Ashes in the churchyard £110

Other expenses:

Organist £55

Verger £10

Heating (if required) £20

Orders of Service can be written and printed from the Parish Office. We charge £25 to write an Order of Service and a modest charge for printing. This is often much less expensive than having printing arranged elsewhere. For practical reasons we usually limit orders of service to 4 pages.

Churches in our Benefice

St Mary’s, St Paul’s and St Peter and St Paul’s Churchyards are available for burials and burial of cremated remains. All Saints’ Churchyard is closed for burials but burials of cremated remains can still take place.

Headstones and Monuments

If a burial or burial of ashes has taken place in a churchyard in the benefice, you can arrange for a headstone or tablet to mark the grave. A monumental mason will provide you with all the necessary details, but a suitable unpolished stone should be chosen (not marble) and of an appropriate size in proportion to other stones present. Lettering should usually be in black or grey (not usually gold or silver). The funeral director will be able to recommend a monumental mason.

Please remember that following a burial, it may be up to six months before a headstone can be erected although a small tablet can usually be laid sooner. Afterwards the church will try to take care of the grave but please help us by removing spent flowers etc. Plastic flowers are never permitted.

Fees for erection of headstones are:-

Headstone £143

Tablet £74

Wooden Cross £20