When the undertakers are asked to arrange a funeral, they will normally contact the priest of that parish to conduct the service. This can either be in church followed by a burial elsewhere, or a cremation. After a cremation, the ashes may be buried in the churchyard when the new Garden of Remembrance is created, or at the crematorium, or somewhere else chosen. Occasionally, the family prefers to have a cremation first, and then a service of thanksgiving with the ashes brought to church.
If the undertakers contact us to take a funeral, we will then contact you to arrange a visit to discuss the service. We will do our best to conduct the service in a way that reflects your wishes and the wishes of the person who has died. We use a simple service which can be adapted for use in church or the crematorium. We will ask you for your choice of:
- Hymns
- Reading(s)
- Music for the beginning and end of the service
We will also discuss with you who will speak about the person who has died, if appropriate, or ask you to help us do this ourselves if we didn't meet them. Sometimes people like to have a printed order of service, and we can help with this.
After the funeral, one of our Bereavement visiting team will contact you. If you need someone to talk to, please contact them or one of the clergy.
Every year there is a service at All Saints and All Soulstide (around 1st November) when we invite people recently bereaved to a service of Holy Communion and in 2007 we shall be using the music of Alex Flood's Requiem. All are welcome to come and take Communion, light a candle in memory of those who have died, and to pray together.
In 2009 the cost of a funeral in church is £169 and the cost of burial of ashes in the churchyard is £153.