A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on
earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give
thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God's
keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion
in a packed church.
Everyone is entitled to either a burial service (funeral) or to
have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard by their
local parish priest regardless of whether they attended church or
not. Speak to your local vicar for more information, or, if you do
not know who your local vicar is please use the search box on the
right to find your local Church of England church.
If the churchyard has been closed, then the Local Authority will
provide alternative places of burial and the minister can carry out
the service there instead of the church or crematorium.
This section includes information on planning a
funeral and the funeral service. Plus a selection
of comforting psalms and prayers.