Funerals

The funeral

Organising a funeral can be an incredibly difficult and challenging thing to do, especially so when you’re having to say goodbye to someone you love and who has been a big part of your life. The Church in Wales is here to help and support you, not only in planning the funeral service itself, but for as long as you need us afterwards.

Christians believe that each and every person is uniquely made in the image of God, and we understand that a funeral needs to reflect all that was special about the person you knew and loved, whether that service takes place at a church, crematorium or burial ground.

Despite the strong feelings of loss and grief that we often experience when a loved one dies, Church in Wales funerals will always reflect the great hope and comfort that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. This assures us that this life is not all that there is, and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God promises a place where there is no more death, or tears, or sadness.

Just as every person is unique, so should their funeral be. The church minister, often referred to as a vicar, will encourage you to talk about the person you want to give thanks for and the life you want to celebrate. They can help you plan the service, and together discuss what’s possible.

There are lots of ways in which you can make the funeral feel really personal: what is said about your loved one, what you’d like people to wear, the music that is played, the readings that are chosen, the prayers that are said, or maybe choosing a photograph to place at the front.

We are here to support you before, during and after the funeral. Please do get in touch to discuss how we can help.

  • It is usual to consult a Funeral Director, who will advise on all practical aspects of the Funeral, make initial contact with a priest or minister on your behalf, and arrange for all payments which have to be made. The priest or minister will then visit you to discuss the details of the Funeral and offer pastoral care to you and your family. The deceased person may have left instructions about their Funeral, either in their Will or separately. If so, their wishes should be made known to the Funeral Director and the priest or minister.

  • As land available for burials becomes scarcer, your choice will tend to be restricted. Many churchyards are full, and no more burials are possible there. If there is space, the right of burial extends to those resident in or who die in the Parish. Permission can be given by the Parish priest for other persons to be buried in the churchyard if there are good reasons for doing so. Municipal burial grounds are experiencing the same difficulties and are introducing similar regulations. The situation regarding cremated remains (following a cremation at a crematorium of your choice) is easier. Availability of space will depend on the circumstances of each individual churchyard and the Parish priest can advise.

  • If a licensed Minister or Reader officiates at a funeral, they are authorised only to use the form of service approved by the Church in Wales. However, it is often possible to add to it at the request of the family, e.g. by incorporating a favourite reading which is not in the Bible, by offering a personal tribute, by adding chosen hymns and songs, and by bringing to the service objects or symbols associated with the departed person. Also, the service includes several options, and the family can discuss with the minister which of the alternative readings, prayers etc. are to be used.

  • The Parochial Church Council is responsible for keeping the area generally tidy and safe, and the fees which are paid when a grave is opened or when a headstone is placed must be used by the PCC for Churchyard maintenance. The particular care of individual graves has to be undertaken by the family and friends of the deceased. If a headstone becomes unsafe, the PCC will seek to trace the family of the deceased to undertake the repairs. If not, the PCC is obliged to render it safe which can mean laying it flat, but it is then the responsibility of the family either to remove the stone or to re-install it in a safe condition. The PCC can recover its reasonable costs from the family.

  • The Church in Wales Constitution defines the size and type of memorials that can be erected to mark burials and plots for cremated remains. These set the limits to the memorials that the Parish priest or Archdeacon can authorise. Any memorials beyond these limits can only be erected if a Faculty is granted by the Diocesan Chancellor. Your Parish priest can advise on these limits and give you the relevant application form to erect or modify a memorial, as well as advise on the Faculty procedure, if required. Generally, memorials outside the normal limits are discouraged.

  • It is only possible to reserve a plot for future burial if a faculty is granted by the Diocesan Chancellor. Such reservations are only granted in exceptional circumstances and do not guarantee the type of memorial that can be erected.

FAQ