When someone close to you dies ...

(Michael Deeley, our local Funeral Director, lays flowers in memory of a loved one in our Garden of Remembrance, where the ashes of the departed can be interred)

WE CAN OFFER A SERVICE FOR EVERYONE - 

When someone dies, we understand how difficult this can be. There’s so much to think about, but we can help you say your final goodbye in a way that really helps. We will celebrate and give thanks to God for the unique life of the person you knew and loved.

During the Covid pandemic, many people feel “at a loss” because they cannot grieve in the way they would wish. The national organisation ‘AtALoss’, supported by a group of Christian churches, has produced a booklet to help those grieving alone: You can download or read it here - click on this link

From the moment you are in touch with us, throughout the funeral service and for as long as you need us afterwards, St Peter’s will be here for you.   Anyone can have a Church of England funeral, whether they are churchgoers or not.  Our Readers, Moira Johnson and Alison Bennett, are licensed to conduct funerals and will do what they can to help you with those difficult times after a death, and with planning the funeral that you want. And in the months afterwards, our Bereavement care team will be happy to walk with you, talk with you, and offer you a friendly listening ear.

To Contact us - phone 01676 532389, or email spcbalsall@gmail.com - your Funeral director can also do this for you.

We can support you, your family and friends before, during and after the funeral with friendship and prayer, understanding your sadness and loss. And in this difficult time, we can share a message of hope and comfort.

WE’LL BE WHERE YOU NEED US TO BE

A Church of England funeral can take place in any one of these locations:

• At a crematorium
• At an outdoor woodland or green burial site
• In a church 
• In a cemetery

We will normally visit you  and we will talk to you on the phone for as long and as often as you need, to hear about the person you knew, and will go through all the details of the funeral service itself and help you plan it

THE SERVICE

Wherever you choose to have the funeral, you can add a personal touch to reflect the unique life of the person you knew:

Arrival

When the coffin arrives and is carried into the venue or onto the burial site, your choice of music may be played.

Remembering a unique life.

When everyone is gathered, a hymn may be sung. There is time to listen to the story of the person you knew and loved. You, another friend or relative, or we can do this. It may include readings which reflect the character and interests of your loved one, and you might like to display some things which were special to your loved one, or play a short video clip on our church projector. 

A message of hope

The minister will speak about God’s promises – of the hope that death is not the end.

You can choose the Bible reading for this part of the service.

Reflecting and remembering

In a time of reflection, music can be played, or silence may be kept. Prayers will be said at this point too. There may be other ways you’d like to make the service unique. Photos, flowers, or items that had special meaning can be included.

Saying goodbye

It will then be time for the farewell. The minister will pray, asking God to keep your loved one in his care, using words that have been used for centuries. This may be a very emotional moment. You might like to have some special music played at this point. The minister will say a blessing and music may be played as the mourners leave the venue.

AFTER THE FUNERAL

Immediately afterwards you will be with your family and friends. But as the days and weeks go by, the church will also be here for you.

When the time is right, you may need to place ashes in their final resting place. We can offer brief words and prayers specially for this. Or it may be appropriate to have a memorial service. We will help you do what is best for you.

Anniversaries and special times like Christmas can be hard after a funeral. At St Peter’s, we will remember your loved one on the anniversary of their death in our prayers on Sunday, and every year we hold a service of remembering for families. You may also have a phonecall or visit from our Bereavement team, to see if you need any more support, or would like to talk.

Keep in touch with us to see what may be planned. Churches can be comforting places, for quiet space, for the caring company of others. In normal times, our church is open during the day, so you can call in and light a candle, say a prayer, or just sit and remember your loved one, at any time. To see a  picture of our memorial corner, (which was taken one Remembrance day) click on this link

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You can find more about funerals here: www.churchofenglandfunerals.org