Funerals
A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is an opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life that has now completed its journey in this world, and to commend the person into God’s keeping.
Here at St Peter’s, like other churches, we would want to offer you every possible support during this difficult time. We would like to work with you to provide a service that reflects the personality of the person who has died and the circumstances of their death. Together, we need to hold within God’s love our feelings of grief and gratitude, joy and sadness.
Usually, the undertaker will contact the parish office and make the arrangements for you. It is important that they do this before fixing the date and time of the service, as clergy are not always available. You have the option to have your loved one either buried or cremated, and the undertaker will help you with that decision.
Once a service date and time have been agreed, the minister leading your service will be in touch with you and your family to arrange a time to meet with you. During this time, they will ask questions about your loved one to help make the service really personal and guide you through making choices about the funeral service, such as which music and readings you would like. They will lead a service for you that is thoughtful, personal, and a special time to remember and give thanks for your loved one.
Our ministers offer services in church, at the crematorium and at the graveside. Some families want the service to begin in church and then move to the crematorium or the graveside; others want a service only at the crematorium or at the graveside. Both are options for our ministers.
Our graveyard is now full, and so we are unable to accept any further burials. We do have a Garden of Remembrance where we can hold a burial of ashes service after someone has been cremated, so if this feels right for you, please contact our parish office for more information.
Sometimes people would like to have a memorial service separate from a funeral, and we are privileged to hold these services at the church. This could be around a special anniversary of a loved one, or perhaps because circumstances have meant that a funeral hasn’t been possible or that people have been unable to gather for a funeral service. These services are an opportunity to gather, remember, and give thanks to God for a loved one, and will be shaped by you and one of our ministers. If you are interested in a memorial service, please contact the parish office for more information.
Every year, we hold a special Remembering Service where many people gather to pay our respects and remember our loved ones. As part of this service, the names of those we have loved and lost are read out, and there is the opportunity to light a candle in remembrance. Our next Remembering Service is on Sunday, 21st December at 4 pm. If you would like a loved one’s name included, please contact the parish office.
