Everyone in the parish is entitled to a funeral
One of the quiet kindnesses of the parish system is that a Church of England funeral is open to everyone who lives in the parish, regardless of whether they held a faith or ever sat in a pew. The vicar will take the service for any resident, and clergy regard it as a core part of their calling. If the person who died had a connection with a particular church, perhaps through a choir, a wedding years ago or a churchyard where family are buried, that church will almost always help too.
Start with the funeral director
In practice, most arrangements in Britain begin with a funeral director rather than with the church. Once you have chosen one, tell them you would like a church service or a Christian minister, and they will contact the clergy, agree a date and coordinate timings with the crematorium or cemetery. If you would rather approach a church yourself first, that is entirely fine: ring the parish office and they will take it from there. You can search our directory to find churches near you.
Church service or crematorium chapel?
Cremation is now chosen by the large majority of families in the UK, and services take several forms:
- A full service in church, followed by a short committal at the crematorium or graveside. This gives the most time for hymns, tributes and readings.
- A single service at the crematorium chapel, led by a minister. Time slots are shorter, often 30 to 45 minutes, so the service is more compact.
- A private committal first, then a service of thanksgiving in church, sometimes weeks later, which many families find gentler and easier to plan.
Burial in a churchyard
Where a churchyard remains open for burials, parishioners have a right to be buried there. Many older churchyards are now full or reserved for the interment of ashes, in which case burial takes place in a local authority cemetery with the church service beforehand. Churchyards have regulations about headstones and memorials, covering size, stone and wording, so it is worth asking the vicar before ordering anything from a stonemason.
What the service includes
- Music as people arrive, and hymns chosen by the family
- A welcome and prayers led by the minister
- A Bible reading, and often a poem or other reading chosen by the family
- A tribute or eulogy, given by a relative, a friend or the minister on the family's behalf
- Prayers of thanksgiving and commendation, and the committal
Clergy will always meet the family beforehand to hear about the person who died, so the service feels personal rather than generic. Tell them honestly about the person's faith or lack of it; a good minister will shape the service accordingly.
Fees
Church of England funeral fees are set nationally and published each year, and they are modest compared with almost every other funeral cost. The statutory fee covers the minister and the use of the church; organists, vergers and bells are charged separately at local rates. Your funeral director will normally collect these fees on the church's behalf and itemise them on the account. There is no charge for the minister's time in visiting and preparing with the family.
Memorial and thanksgiving services
A memorial service, often called a service of thanksgiving, is held without the coffin present, sometimes long after the funeral itself. These services suit families who held a small private cremation, or where mourners are scattered across the country. They can be as simple or as full as you wish, and churches host them for members and non-members alike.
Thinking ahead
If you want to spare your family decisions later, talk to your local vicar about your wishes now. Many churches will note preferred hymns, readings and burial wishes, and funeral directors offer pre-paid plans that can specify a church service. It is a strange conversation to start, but families are always grateful for it.