Types of service
Religious and non-religious funerals
Funerals are an important rite of passage and it is vital that the spiritual needs of your loved one and those left behind are met.
If the person who has died had a religious faith then those needs will probably be best met by the local minister of their particular faith. We would normally contact them on your behalf.
If you feel that a service held at a church or other religious centre would feel right for you and your loved ones we will put all of the arrangements in place to make this happen in the way you wish. It is not essential for a religious funeral to be held in a religious building; equally it is not essential to have been a regular member of a faith community to hold a funeral in a church or religious building.
If you feel that a religious service may not meet your needs you may consider a civil ceremony. These ceremonies arose out of a need for a form of service that was not being given from any particular faith position, be that religious or strictly non-religious. The service would be led by a celebrant and normally include music and poetry but could also contain some religious content, such as a hymn or a short prayer. We work with several funeral celebrants and would put you in touch with them.
Service Sheets
We produce printed orders of service for your loved one’s funeral, this is a summary of information that outlines what will happen during the service and in what order, including who will be reading, what hymns or music there will be and information about the wake/reception. We also like to feature a photo, or photos, of your loved one. Often these become nice keepsakes for family members and friends who attended the service, or for those who were unable to make it.
We have a variety of options for the order of service, and will work with you to ensure it is exactly what you want.
If you have any questions regarding your order of service, please ask your funeral director.
Music & Hymns
It should almost always be possible to include recorded music of your choice or music played on an organ in a funeral service.
This is not a time to be constrained by convention but to choose what feels right for you. We will make any recordings for you if you supply them with titles and they will also liaise with an organist to play any specific pieces, including hymns, that you would like.
If you need any help choosing hymns, here is a list of the 250 most popular titles.