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Life: Funerals

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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 put your postcode into the Search box 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.

Visit the Church of England website for information onĀ planning a funeral and the funeral service, and for a selection of comforting psalms and prayers.

If you’re a member of the clergy or a Licensed Lay Minister, policies and documents about conducting these services are available on the Sacraments and Services support page.

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