FUNERALS

Funeral services are an important way of marking the close of a person’s life on earth.

They offer the opportunity for friends & family to express their grief at what has happened – but also time to reflect and the chance to share special memories with one another. They also offer the chance to thank God for a person’s life and to commend them to God’s keeping.

If you are reading this page and you have just lost a loved one, we offer you our deepest condolences for your loss. Hopefully the information on this page will help when planning a funeral at St Giles’.

The clergy team welcomes contact regarding funerals at any time but at an early stage you will need to contact a Funeral Director.  The Funeral Director will help you with all the necessary paperwork, be able to give you advice on the type of Funerals available to you and book the church on your behalf.

St Giles’ is a large church and can accommodate many families and friends at funeral services. We also try to be as flexible as possible with regards to the day and time for funeral services to be held. Services can take many forms – and the clergy team tries to be as accommodating as possible.

Music and readings are especially important and can evoke powerful memories. Sometimes, families choose to play a loved one’s favourite songs during the service on a CD. Other times, families meet with our organist to arrange for him to play music or arrange for soloists to perform. Hymns are sung and readings can be arranged to read by members of the family or friends from different areas of a person’s life. In all these regards, we offer you our experience and advice to help you make the service a fitting way of saying goodbye.

You may find it helpful to visit the Church of England’s website on Funerals. Please contact us if you would like to talk about any of the aspects of funerals outlined above.