Sadly, funerals may now only happen at the Crematorium or at the graveside. Only immediate family members can attend (if the crematorium allows) – that is, spouse or partner, parents and children, keeping their distance in the prescribed way (this is true also for the burial of ashes). No wake or gathering should be held following the funeral, and this should be scheduled for a later date. We recognise how difficult this will be for many and add to the pain of a loss, and encourage you to discuss with your vicar or minister the possibility of a memorial service at a date in the future where more people can be present.
A Church of England funeral is available for anyone. We will provide you with support before, during and after the service.
After the initial news of the death of someone you knew and loved, there are some important things that need to be done. These are two of the more immediate things:
- Register the death. There is some helpful guidance on this on the government’s births, marriages, and deaths advice page.
- Meet a Funeral Director. If you’re not yet sure which one to use, you can find one near to you on the National Association of Funeral Directors’ website, or on the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) website.
The Funeral Director will talk to you about what kind of funeral you would like.
Once you have completed these steps, you may want to talk to your local vicar. They can be contacted here.
