Funeral Services at St Cuthbert’s Church
Whatever your circumstances, in your time of loss you may feel overwhelmed when a loved one dies. It is usual for people to be unsure of what to do in the aftermath of a bereavement. Most people use a funeral director. The Charity Age UK www.ageuk.org.uk recommends that you should use one who is a member of either The National Association of Funeral Directors or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors. Get more than one quote to compare costs.
Most Funeral Director Services companies provide a 24hr 7day week service. When you have appointed your funeral director it is their responsibility to arrange a funeral that meets your wishes and those of the deceased, ensuring that it is both a celebration of life and a fitting farewell and complies with any legal requirements too. The role of a funeral director is a broad service encompassing practical organisation, support and guidance to the family and liaison with a wide range of other organisations and services to ensure the funeral is properly arranged.
Funerals at St Cuthbert’s Church
At St Cuthbert’s Church we aim to bring hope and comfort to those who have lost a loved one. Christians believe that when we die God has promised that we will be with him in a wonderful place where death and pain are gone forever. This can provide great comfort to those who attend a funeral.
We believe that every person is uniquely made in the image of God and so a funeral is an opportunity to give thanks for the life of that person and to acknowledge all that is special about the person whom you knew and loved.
The Minister who will be taking the funeral service will meet with family members to discuss the type of service the family would prefer e.g. normal funeral service, a Thanksgiving service, a Memorial service etc.. Music and readings will be chosen in consultation with the Minister. The prayers are carefully written to bring comfort to family and friends. A favourite poem may be included in the order of service. The service follows a clear plan from the greeting at the beginning, to remembering the one who has died and asking for God’s comfort. Finally your loved one is committed into the loving care of God.
The church will be open after the service for family and friends to use for prayer and reflection.
Please note that the churchyard surrounding the church is classified as a “Closed” churchyard. This means that it is no longer possible to arrange a burial or interment of ashes in the churchyard unless you have a reserved family grave and permission is sought and approved by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Durham and the Parochial Church Council of St Cuthbert’s Church, Etherley.
Your appointed funeral director and/ or one of the churchwardens of the church will provide you with further advice and guidance if requested on the arrangements for burials and interment of ashes in “Closed” churchyards.
