All Saints Church has been the venue for many services celebrating the lives of all manner of people over a great many years. The clergy at All Saints are well used to preparing and leading services of this nature, and are always willing to consider the particular needs and wishes of the families concerned.
To enquire about a funeral at All Saints please contact here.
The Order of Service
The order of service is arranged in consultation with the vicar who will be preside at the service.
A funeral can take the form of either a Requiem or a Funeral Service.
A Requiem is a mass for the dead. It includes Holy Communion. This gives fullest expression to Christian hope and faith. It is usually suitable to have a choir or a number of singers assisting.
A Funeral Service is a simple service of readings, prayers and hymns. It can be more easily adapted to individual or family preferences.
The vicar is able to produce a template of the order of service containing the text of the readings and hymns as selected in consultation with those planning the funeral, together with the prayers said by all, and to supply this by email to a printer or funeral director for printing.
Music & Hymns
All Saints provides a professional musician (organist) to provide music at all funerals and memorial services in the church. Those arranging the service are invited to have as much input into the selection of the music and hymns as they wish to, and may also arrange for other musicians and vocalists to be involved, in consultation with the vicar.
Readings
The funeral or memorial service always includes at least one or two readings from the Bible. A family member or friend may be invited to read the reading/s. The vicar will be able to guide you towards bible readings suitable for a funeral. You are welcome to suggest a reading of your own choosing.
Viewing
Some families request that there be a viewing of the deceased in the Church prior to the commencement of the service. Whilst this is usually best done at the Funeral Director’s facilities, if circumstances are such that it is requested this take place in the Church, this can be arranged with the vicar and Funeral Director. Generally, the viewing will take place in the Lady Chapel and will be scheduled to conclude well before the commencement of the service.
Before the Service
There is no need for family members to arrive at the church early on the day of the funeral. Seats will be reserved for the immediate family at the front of the Church.
Audio-Visual Displays
It is sometimes requested that there be an audio-visual display of the deceased’s life as part of a funeral service. All Saints does not have facilities for audio-visual display but they can be arranged with the Funeral Director. It is suitable that such displays be a part of the wake following the service.
Other Rites
Rites and ceremonies from other non-Christian or non-religious traditions may not be observed at All Saints during a funeral service.
Where the deceased served in the armed forces, the RSL rites may be included at an appropriate point in the service.
After the Service
Those arranging a funeral may hire the Parish Centre, adjacent to the Church, for refreshments after the service. External caterers will need to be organised.
Memorial Garden
All Saints has a consecrated memorial garden on the North Side (car park side) of the church where the ashes may be interred. Brass plaques identifying those whose remains are in the garden are installed in the porch off the Lady Chapel.
The service of interment is brief, and is conducted by the clergy, and can occur at any mutually agreed time.
