St Mary's Whitegate

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for family and friends to express their grief and to give thanks to God for the life of someone at the end of their journey in this world, to commend them to God’s keeping and to pray for ourselves. A Church of England funeral service can be simple and quiet with just a few family members present or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church.

Everyone has a right to a funeral in the Church of England church in their parish, whether they are a churchgoer or not. We see taking funerals as an important part of our ministry at St Mary’s and gladly give our time to talk through your loss and to help to arrange whatever kind of funeral service is most appropriate.
You are entitled to a service at St Mary’s if you live in the parish, are on the electoral roll or have a grave in the church yard. Please ask your Funeral Director to contact us on 01606 889995.

After the Funeral
People who have lost someone are often busy with practical details and arrangements between the death and the funeral and do not experience the full sense of their loss until later. Grieving is a natural and important part of coming to terms with and healing the loss and may continue for some time. The staff team at St Mary’s is always willing to try to help. If you would like to talk to someone please call the parish office on 01606 889995.

Memorials in the Churchyard
Making arrangements for the last resting place of a loved one is an important and often distressing responsibility. Many choose burial or interment of cremated remains in consecrated ground. Christian burial in a churchyard must always be reverent and basic rules – the Diocesan Churchyard Regulations – exist to main the highest possible standards and to guide those charged with making sensitive decisions. Please respect and comply with the Regulations.

You will need the Vicar’s permission for a memorial, inscription and anything that you wish to place on the grave. All applications must be in writing.