Funerals, which mark the end of a person’s life, can be painful and difficult occasions. They can also be joyful, as the life of the person to whom we are bidding farewell is celebrated.
Everybody who lives in the parish of St Mary and Christ Church is entitled to have their funeral in one of our churches. Our clergy are also available to take funerals at a cemetery or crematorium chapel.
If you are arranging a funeral, and would like it to take place at one of our churches, or you would like one of the clergy to officiate, please make that clear to the funeral directors. They will then contact the Vicar to make arrangements; the clergy should not be contacted in the first instance.
Shortly after these arrangements have been made the priest who is to take the funeral will meet you to discuss the funeral service itself, to talk about the deceased, and to offer support and comfort to the bereaved. The priest will be able to help with choosing hymns, music and readings. Sometimes the deceased will have left instructions for their funeral in their will.
If you are thinking about your own funeral, and would like to make some arrangements before your death, please contact the Vicar and one of the clergy will be happy to discuss arrangements.