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 world and to commend them into God’s keeping.
Funerals at St Matt’s can be simple and quiet with only a few members of the family present or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church.
The service itself can be from the traditional Book of Common Prayer or the more contemporary Common Worship.
Whatever the pattern of service, the words and actions all speak of a loving God and the preciousness to Him of every human being, and, in particular, the person you love who has died.
Everyone has a right to a funeral in the Church of England church in their parish, whether or not they were a churchgoer. Here at St Matt’s, we see funerals as an important part of our work and will gladly give time to talk to those who are facing loss, to be with them in their pain, and to help to arrange whatever kind of funeral service is most appropriate.
Making arrangements
If you wish to arrange a funeral or just to talk with someone about your loss, please contact the Church Office.
Image and text adapted from Funerals in the Church of England,
Church House Publishing, 2003.
Reproduced and adapted with permission.
