Funerals

Arranging a funeral

We are sorry you have to make an enquiry about funeral arrangements. We hope we can support you in whatever way is possible.

We are involved in many funerals, some in the church - followed by burial or a cremation - some at the crematorium.

For initial enquires contact funeral directors or contact the church office.

Our ministers will then contact you to help make the necessary arrangements

Once a year we hold a bereavement service to which we invite all those who have had a bereavement

Questions of Life and Death

A quiet reading before the funeral service

‘God’s love and power extend over all creation. Every life, including our own, is precious to God. Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is new life in Christ after Death.’

For all involved, a funeral service may raise profound personal questions about the meaning of life and death. Christians believe that Christ’s death and resurrection are the triumph of good over evil and of life over death and have opened the gate to eternal life for us.

Most Christians would describe hell as separation from the love of God. The separation is never what God wants, it is our own responsibility.

Heaven, on the other hand, is about knowing and delighting in the presence and love of God and of the whole company of heaven.Whatever is wonderful about life here on earth is only a glimpse of the life that is to come.

There may not be time around the funeral to reflect on these things, but make space later on to come back to them. The ministers and others involved in the service will be glad to offer help in thinking through how you have been affected personally.

After the funeral

People who have lost someone close to them are often so busy with practical details and arrangements between the death and the funeral that they do not experience the full sense of their loss until later.

Grieving is a natural and important part of coming to terms with and healing this loss and it may continue for a long time. At St Mary’s Church the ministers are willing to try and help. Sometimes the prayers from the service may help us find comfort in the promise of Jesus Christ.

Heal the memories of hurt and failure. Give us the wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth, to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life.

You can also contact the Vicar with any questions.