Funerals
A funeral service is a way to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one. It’s an occasion to bring closure to family and friends whereby they can support each other and grieve.
You can choose whether you would like a traditional service or a more contemporary personalised service which is more ‘a celebration of a life’ than a funeral. We are flexible on the length of the service, and you can decide whether you would like a small gathering or a large one. St Mary’s comfortably sits around 200 people in the nave but can accommodate 400 by using the overflow transept and chancel. The minister who will be taking the service will visit and help you plan the service. They can discuss prayers, music, hymns and much more. You may also want to include special requests such as the favourite music or flowers of the one who has passed. A written eulogy can be delivered by a family member or friend, or the minister will do this.
A member of the ministry team can either conduct the funeral service at St Mary’s followed by the cremation or burial, or it can all be conducted at the Crematorium.
We understand organising a funeral is difficult while you are coming to terms with a loved one’s death. If you choose St Mary’s to hold the funeral, then please discuss this with your funeral directors who can contact us to make the necessary arrangements. Otherwise, please contact our parish office who will be able to help.
Ongoing Support
At St Mary’s, we have ongoing support for those who has lost a loved one.
Pastoral Care: St Mary’s care for relatives after the funeral, sometimes years after. One of our Anna Chaplains will contact you to see if you would like a visit.
Tea and Company: On the first Sunday of the month at 2.15pm at the Parish Hall we have a group called ‘Tea and Company’ who are those who have been bereaved.
Memorial Services: Since this ceremony can take place in the future, people have more time to plan and to include distant friends and relatives in this personal and special goodbye.
Annual All Souls’ Day: Relatives are invited to St Mary’s in the autumn for our annual All Souls’ Day service. At this, the names of all those whose funerals we have conducted in the past year are read out, remembered in prayer, and family members invited to light a candle in their memory.
Burial of ashes: You may wish the cremated remains of your loved one to rest in ‘God’s acre’ – the peaceful church yard within the castle walls or the rose garden.