Planning a funeral?
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.’
John 14.1
If you are reading this page because a loved one has recently passed away, please accept our deepest sympathy.
For most of us the death of someone very close to us thankfully does not happen every day. However, when it does, it is one of the hardest things we ever have to face, and on top of that we may also have to organise the funeral service. However, we do hope that the church can be of help to you, together with the care and expertise of a funeral director.
You are very welcome to contact us whether you have recently lost a loved one or are still working through bereavement following a funeral. If you need to organise a funeral, though, you will always need to contact a funeral director and make arrangements with them.
Church of England ministers are able to offer a Christian funeral service for anyone, whether or not they have attended church. They are able to take services in church, at a crematorium, at an outdoor woodland or green burial site or in a cemetery. Please let the funeral director know exactly what you would like, and they will contact a minister for you. (This will normally be a minister from the parish where the departed person lived or where you live, although sometimes people request a clergyperson who has perhaps taken a family baptism or wedding.) The minister will then normally meet you and plan the service together with you – if necessary they will be able to give ideas for hymns, other music and readings.
For more about Church of England funerals, some prayers or to light a candle online in memory of someone, please see www.churchofenglandfunerals.org.
After the funeral...
If you would like to inter cremated remains in a cemetery, a Church of England minister can provide a short service to accompany this. It does not matter if the funeral was not taken by that minister. If you would like details of Bishopstoke Cemetery, please see www.bishopstokepc.hampshire.org.uk/pages/cemetery.html or email Mrs Cheryl Taylor, (Assistant Clerk) on acbishopstoke.pc@btinternet.com.
Our aim is to keep in touch with all those we have helped at a time of loss. Grief is obviously not over when the service has ended and we are always available for a chat. It is also possible to put you in touch with other bereavement support.
On or near All Souls Day (2 November) each year we hold a ‘Service to Remember Departed Loved Ones’ at St Mary’s. This can be particularly appropriate and helpful for anyone who has been bereaved over the past year or so, but anyone is most welcome to come along. During the service there is the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one.
If someone is ill...
If you or someone close to you is ill, we would count it a privilege to pray for you and/or them. We can also arrange for our Rector or a member of our Pastoral Care team to visit you to chat or pray for you. Please let us know if you would appreciate help.
Some Resources
Eastleigh Bereavement Service - 023 8057 8844
www.ebs-bereavement.co.uk
Winchester Bereavement Support - 01962 863626
http://winchesterbereavementsupport.org.uk/index.htm
Counselling Directory is a confidential service that encourages those in distress to seek help. The directory contains information on many different types of distress, as well as articles, news, and events. To ensure the professionalism of our website, all counsellors have provided us with qualifications and insurance cover or proof of membership with a professional body
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
Winston’s Wish – the charity for bereaved children
Helpline - 08452 03 04 05
http://www.winstonswish.org.uk
Childhood Bereavement Network
http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
Simon Says Child Bereavement Support
http://simonsays.org.uk
Child Death Helpline – a helpline for all those affected by the death of a child
Helpline – 0800 282986
http://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk