"Grief is the price we pay for love." Queen Elizabeth II
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend the person into God's keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.
Everyone is entitled to either a burial service (funeral) or to have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard by their local parish priest regardless of whether they attended church or not. (click here to see maps of the Parish boundaries)
Some people like to reserve a space in the Churchyard but there are conditions. Please check out the details on this page of the Diocese of Norwich web site. https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/churches/buildings/churchyards/grave-space-reservation/. If you have further questions after reading this please contact the vicar or Churchwarden of the relevant Church.
We will help you to put together a service to honour and remember your loved one and help you chose prayers, readings and hymns.
Some you will already know or have heard before on other occasions.
You may also like to have a particular song or non bible reading and again we will help with this.
Here are two readings that we hope will bring you some comfort in planning any funeral.
From the Bible. Revelations 21 v 1-7
"1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”a for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’b or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
And there is this famously read at Princess Diana's funeral by her eldest sister.
"Turn Again " by Mary Lee Hall
If I should die and leave you here awhile
Be not like others, sore undone, who keep
Long vigils by silent dust, and weep.
For my sake turn again to life and smile
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
Something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.
Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine
And I perchance may therein comfort you.
You might also like to look at the Church of England's very helpful web site dealing with funerals by clicking here
and you should also look at the regulations that apply to Churchyards by clicking on the Diocesan Registry link.
"My Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14.27