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That is Saint Paul, and it is the ground a Christian funeral stands on. The love that holds us does not let go, and it does not depend on how firm anyone's faith was, or whether they had any.
The Prayer Book does not hurry anyone past their grief. One of the psalms it gives us for a funeral asks only that God should listen: hear my prayer, and do not be silent at my tears. But it does not leave us there either. As the coffin is carried in we say the oldest words we have, I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, and it is on that hope that everything else rests.
So at a funeral here we give thanks to God for a life. We pray for those who mourn. We entrust the one who has died into God's keeping, in the sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. And we say what the Prayer Book gives us to say, that we brought nothing into this world and can carry nothing out, that the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, and blessed be the name of the Lord.
You do not need to have been a churchgoer, and neither did they. A Church of England funeral is offered to everyone.
If someone you love has died, please talk to The Rev'd Francesco Aresco, our Rector, at rector@monkenhadley.church or on 020 3672 5563. You do not need to have anything arranged or decided first.
How do we arrange a funeral?
Most families speak to a funeral director first, and the director then contacts us and settles a date. You are just as welcome to ring the Rector yourself before anything else is fixed. Either way round is fine.
We will then come and sit with you, hear about the person who has died, and shape the service together: the readings, the music, who speaks, and what is said.
Can the funeral be here?
Yes. A funeral can be held in church, or at the crematorium, or in church followed by the crematorium. If your family has a connection with Monken Hadley, do say so, and we will do what we can.
Can we be buried in the churchyard?
Our churchyard has been closed for burials for many years, so sadly we are not able to offer a grave. This is a hard thing to be told, and we are sorry. Your funeral director or the local council will have a list of burial grounds nearby.
Ashes can be interred in a plot kept for that purpose in our churchyard, for church members and for those with a connection to this church, and a memorial plaque may then be placed on our Wall of Remembrance where there is space. Do ask.
What does it cost?
The fees for a funeral are set nationally by the Church of England, not by us, and your funeral director will normally include them in their account so that you have one bill rather than several. If money is a worry, please say so. It will not change what we do for you.
And afterwards?
The day itself passes quickly, and the months after it are often harder. We would like to stay in touch. The Rector will visit if you would like a visit, and you are welcome at any service, at any time, with no expectation on you at all.
At the beginning of November we keep All Souls' Day, when we remember before God those who have died. You would be very welcome to come.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. We would like to be part of how that comes true for you.
Do please get in touch.
Useful links
First steps in arranging a funeral | The Church of England