Funerals
At a funeral, friends and family express their grief over the loss of a loved one and give thanks to God for the life they led. These services vary greatly in size; some are quiet and intimate, with a few members of the family present, while others are a large affair with music and hymns and a packed church.
The clergy are well-equipped to help people in times of distress, and will work with grieving family members in order to best honor the wishes of the deceased, while taking into account church and graveyard requirements. Grieving families should discuss all arrangements with the priest before they are finalized in order to avoid confusion or misunderstanding which could add to their distress. All graveyard arrangements must be approved by the priest.
At a funeral, friends and family express their grief over the loss of a loved one and give thanks to God for the life they led. These services vary greatly in size; some are quiet and intimate, with a few members of the family present, while others are a large affair with music and hymns and a packed church.
The clergy are well-equipped to help people in times of distress, and will work with grieving family members in order to best honor the wishes of the deceased, while taking into account church and graveyard requirements. Grieving families should discuss all arrangements with the priest before they are finalized in order to avoid confusion or misunderstanding which could add to their distress. All graveyard arrangements must be approved by the priest.
Who may be buried in a church yard?
Clergy, missionaries, and bishops may be buried in a churchyard. The parish priest and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) may allow a Christian to be buried there if there are connections between the church and the family. If the churchyard has been officially closed by the PCC, the priest and the family should find a solution together. |
The parish priest decides where each grave will be located, usually following a plan determined by the Parochial Church Council.
If you would like to place a memorial, there are regulations to ensure that both the memorial itself and its inscriptions are appropriate. The regulations prohibit memorials that are too large or memorials in certain shapes, colors, and types of stone. Please contact the parish priest for permission and to review the regulations.
It is important to note that the churchyard is legally owned by the parish priest. No one else can own any part of that land, even by reserving a grave space or by erecting a memorial on a grave.
Grieving is a natural process that could take months or longer. The clergy may be asked for counseling, in order to bring inner healing to the close family. Solace can also be found in the promises of Jesus Christ and in the hope of resurrection. The belief that the deceased is now with God is itself a great comfort.
If you would like to place a memorial, there are regulations to ensure that both the memorial itself and its inscriptions are appropriate. The regulations prohibit memorials that are too large or memorials in certain shapes, colors, and types of stone. Please contact the parish priest for permission and to review the regulations.
It is important to note that the churchyard is legally owned by the parish priest. No one else can own any part of that land, even by reserving a grave space or by erecting a memorial on a grave.
Grieving is a natural process that could take months or longer. The clergy may be asked for counseling, in order to bring inner healing to the close family. Solace can also be found in the promises of Jesus Christ and in the hope of resurrection. The belief that the deceased is now with God is itself a great comfort.