In the immediate aftermath of the trauma of losing a loved one it is a natural instinct for some people to want to phone the Clergy first.

Although the Clergy can offer emotional support at this point, they cannot assist with dates and times of the funeral as these involve consultation with several other professionals.

It is best in the first instance to make your choice of funeral director and contact them directly. They will provide advice, make all the arrangements, and liaise with the Clergy (and, where necessary, the crematorium) in order to establish the date and time of the service. They will take their instructions from you to be as accommodating as possible. They will keep you regularly informed until these matters are settled.

It is after that the Clergy will contact you to arrange to make a visit. Today the Funeral Service contains a large element of thanksgiving for the life of the departed and many families/relatives like to participate in some way. The Clergy are there to advise you how to best to do this. They will also take care of arranging for the musical requirements if the service is to be held in church, otherwise any music desired at the crematorium should be notified via your undertaker.

If you wish your loved one to be buried or their ashes buried. Then you need to be aware that the Church of England have rules that we have to comply with these can be found by clicking on this link Churchyard Rules.

All costs involved will be handled by your funeral director.

The funeral directors most closely involved with funerals/cremations from this parish are:

Bakers Funeral Directors: 01245 221100

T. Pennack and Sons: 01245 471157

Co-operative Funeral Services Limited: 01245 353978

INTERVIEWS WITH THE CLERGY:

Couples normally meet with the Priest on two occasions before the wedding rehearsal. The first interview is an administrative one to confirm the wedding date and time and cover practical and legal matters, including fees.

The second interview focuses on the words and meaning of the Marriage Service itself. The wedding rehearsal, a few days before the wedding enables couples to become used to the church building and to what will happen on the day.

ORDER OF SERVICE:

 Couples are encouraged to have a printed Order of Service. The Clergy can provide a sample copy for guidance.

BANNS:

The calling of banns, a declaration of intention to marry, is a legal requirement in the Church of England. The banns must be read in St Mary's church on three consecutive Sundays before the wedding takes place. If either the bride or groom is from a different parish, then the banns must be called in that parish as well.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOS:

Please talk to Revd Jacqui about photographs by professional photographers. Videos of the weddings can be problematic due to music copyright, all fees for copyright are for the couples to arrange. 

FEES:

Details of the current fees are available from the Clergy or can be downloaded here, Revd Jacqui will explain them in detail at the first wedding interview.

Some families prefer to have a thanksgiving ceremony for a new child instead of a baptism and this can also be arranged.

To talk about arranging a baptism or thanksgiving, please contact our Priest, Jacqui Jones on 01245 223140 or email ebbaafter@gmail.com