We are sorry to hear about your bereavement. If you are want to arrange a funeral service, please contact the vicar, Alan Everett (or phone 020 7249 2627). The following Questions & Answers may help, but he will be pleased to answer any other questions you may have.
Can anyone have a funeral at St Michael’s?
Yes, providing at least close family member or the deceased either
- lived/lives in the parish, or
- was/is a regular worshipping member of the congregation.
Can we have the funeral in church?
Yes, but please ask your Funeral Director to contact the vicar before making arrangements for the burial or cremation, to make sure the church (and a priest) are available.
Can we have the funeral at a cemetery or crematorium?
Yes, but again, please ask your Funeral Director to contact the vicar before making arrangements for the burial or cremation, to make sure a priest is available.
What happens when a time and place for the funeral have been decided?
The vicar – or another priest – will arrange to meet you.
At this meeting, you will discuss the service, including
- The type of service. Many funerals are simple services, lasting about 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you are communicant members of the church, the funeral could be in the context of the Eucharist. The priest will flag up further issues to think about. For instance, you can
- involve family and friends in the service, by singing, reading, or giving tributes or eulogies
- choose bible readings, or other readings
- choose hymns and other music items
- include your own prayers.
- The service booklet. The priest will advise you on your options.
What about fees?
These are all arranged by the Funeral Director.
Following on …
If you want us to visit you after the service, please let us know.
We can put the person you have lost in our remembrance book. This means that each year on the Sunday before he or she died we will read his or her name in the prayers at the Parish Eucharist.
You are also very welcome to attend our annual All Souls Requiem Eucharist, in which many of us remember those who have died. This is usually at 8.00 pm on 2nd November – but please contact the vicar beforehand to check.
If there is anything else we can do to support you, please do let us know.