The nave prepared for a funeral.

The Cemetery

The Cemetery

The cemetery

The Cemetery

 

Cemetery regulations

Funerals

Whatever the circumstances a death in the family is a traumatic and sad experience for all concerned.

We, at St. George’s, will do all we can to support families through this time when they are forced to make plans often quite quickly, and when they are not in the best frame of mind for decision making.

It is hoped that the following will be helpful, but always talk to the Rural Dean. Your specific wishes can usually be accommodated.

  1. 1. It is really helpful to families if the deceased has thought about how they would like their funeral to be conducted and left these requests with a family member. The rrRural Dean, is always ready to help people should they wish to make such plans.
  2. 2. Take time to think about what you want to be included in the service.
    • There are hymns - usually two or three.
    • There are readings - one bible and anything else the family might like. There are books available which contain readings and hymns suggestions.  It is probably better to consider these choices carefully, rather than go for “the usual hymns”.
    • There is music, perhaps you would like the organist to play specific pieces at the beginning and end of the service, or you might like to play recorded music.
    • Members of the family might like to take part, perhaps reading, talking about the deceased or playing music.
    • You might wish there to be some symbolic element to the service: e.g. Royal British Legion Standard; placing flowers on the coffin during the service, lighting candles. (Back to top)
  3. A small cross with the deceased’s name on it will be placed in The Lady Chapel either during the service in church, or the day after a crematorium service. This acts as a constant reminder for family and friends that none of us is separated from God’s love, not even by death. Crosses are given to families at the annual Memorial Service.
  4. Where can the service be held?
    Will people stay behind if we have a cremation following a church service?
    are two often asked questions. There are a number of options:-
    • church service followed by cremation in Shrewsbury.
    • church service followed by burial in the village cemetery.
    • cremation followed by a church service.cremation with a church service the following day after which the ashes are buried in the cemetery
    • crematorium service, with ashes scattered later at the crematorium, or scattered by the family in an appropriate spot, or buried at a later date in the cemetery (either in a family grave or in the Garden of Remembrance).
    • private cremation with a Memorial Service in church at a later date.
      If a church service is to be held, some families like the coffin to be at rest in church overnight.
      Flowers and wreaths can be laid in one of the chapels in church rather than leaving them at the crematorium.
  5. Immediately after the service, a member of the visiting team will call to deliver any cards that have been left in church and bring details of any donations that have been collected. Families may ask for donations to specific charities of their choice. The money collected in church has, by law, to go through the church books, but all money placed on the Donations Plate will be sent to the charity in question, and written details will be given to the family at this first visit.
    The treasurer keeps the account open for a few days, as there are often late additional donations. He will ask the charity to send the receipt directly to the family. To check the progress of any donations please contact Gerald Worrall, the treasurer, on our contacts page. Click on Treasurer.
  6. Sometimes families like to buy specific things in memory that can be kept in the village by being used in church. If this is your wish please talk to the Churchwardens, who have an ongoing list of suggestions.
  7. Families should not be afraid to suggest unusual things that might be appropriate to their loved one. We had a funeral procession recently that was led by the deceased’s JCB digger; the funeral of a child might include a Moses basket and the reading of a “Good night” story; one lady in Bristol placed her husband’s ashes in their garden wall, another under the bird bath. If you wish to use ‘green’ coffins you should discuss this with the funeral directors. There is a book, called “Time to Go - Alternative Funerals”, that people are free to borrow.
  8. Annual Memorial Service
    Each year at All Saints tide - early November - a service is held to which all those who have lost loved ones in the past year are invited. The service is simple, it includes the lighting of candles by all present and the placing of children’s drawings etc. on the altar. The crosses from The Lady Chapel are made available to families. Afterwards there is tea. The service will be advertised in the Church Parish Magazine.