The parish clergy generally learn of someone’s death through a family’s appointed funeral director. We are however more than willing to be contacted by family members who might wish us to minister to those who are seriously ill or dying.

Upon hearing of someone’s death we will attempt to be in touch with family members as soon as possible and arrange to visit and pray with you. At this visit we will help you to order the funeral service, choose hymns and any other music or readings you may wish.

You may find the Church of England website useful: www.cofe.anglican.org/lifechanges

Before the service it is possible to arrange to join you for prayers in your home. Similarly you may welcome the support of the church in the weeks and days after a funeral. For some people , the death of someone dear to them is a prompt to serious thought about faith, life and death. We can help you as you face these questions.

Every year those recently bereaved are invited to remember their loved ones at our All Souls service (at the beginning of November), other opportunities are made for you to call those who have died to mind and to renew your trust in God’s faithful love.

Some ancient words that may be of help:

Psalm 121

1. I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come?

2. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

3. He will not suffer your foot to stumble, he who watches over you will not sleep.

4. Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5. The Lord himself watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6. So that the sun shall not strike you by day, neither the moon by night.

7. The Lord shall keep you from all evil it is he who shall keep your soul.

8. The Lord shall keep watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.