Funerals

A church funeral service marks the end of life here on earth, and commends the deceased into God’s loving care. It is also an opportunity to give thanks for the life that has now ended, and to pray for comfort for bereaved family and friends.

Everyone, whether or not they were a churchgoer in life, is entitled to a Church of England funeral service in their local parish church should their family so wish. Here in the Binsey Mission Community we have open Churchyards into which anyone in the parishes can be buried. Alternatively, a minister will be pleased to take a shorter version of the funeral service in a crematorium, or at the graveside. The minister will also be able to conduct a service of burial of ashes at a later date, if you so wish.

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You may want to consider having a funeral in church if you would like a fuller service, with hymns, readings and tributes from more than one person, as there is no time limit to a church funeral.

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Further information on funeral planning, including ideas about hymns and readings, can be found at churchofenglandfunerals.org

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Funerals are usually arranged through a local funeral director in the first instance. The minister who will take your loved one’s service will then arrange to meet with you, and will help you to choose how you would like to best remember, celebrate and say goodbye to the deceased. Readings, hymns or other music, tributes by family and friends all combine to make the service personal and meaningful for all who attend.

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There is a statutory fee for funerals, and additional local charges for an organist etc, but the church fees (usually around £300) are a relatively small proportion of the overall cost of a funeral. The funeral director will be able to supply you with full details.
We are always willing to meet with you to help you plan your funeral in advance. If this is something you are interested in contact a member of the Ministry Mission Community Team.