Death, Dying and Funerals

If you have suffered a bereavement or want help with a funeral…

We have a huge amount of experience here in Redruth Parish, of supporting families and loved ones as they navigate not only arranging a funeral, but also coming to terms with loss. Our team of priests and lay ministers have done thousands of funerals between them, and take huge pride in enabling families to plan the right service for their loved one and situation.

Where do you start?

If the loss is very recent, then you are probably starting from a place of needing to arrange the funeral. We work with all the local funeral directors, and sometimes further afield. You first port of call may be to contact them, or you may call us. Either way, the funeral director will take care of all the legal and practical arrangements, including liaising about dates and venues. 

You may choose to call us to come and pray with your loved one before death, or as they die. This is always a really special thing to do, and we will do our utmost to be there when you need us.

“We aren’t really religious!”

The majority of funerals we do are for people who would not count themselves as religious. But it makes complete sense that at a time when you are faced with death, and grief, and huge life changes, you feel the need to connect to something deeper. Most of us struggle to articulate why or what moves us to do this, but churches are here for you whether you come weekly, or have never set foot past the lychgate! 

What does a Church funeral involve?

A Church of England funeral will have some prayers (including the Lord’s prayer), a bible reading, and special words at the the end of the service to commit your loved one to God. Aside from that you can have songs, poems, readings, share memories of your loved one, and whatever else seems appropriate. Or you might choose to keep things really simple. We can hold funerals in Church, at the crem, at a chapel of ease, or even come and say a few words at the pub! There’s a lot more flexibility to a Church of England Funeral than you might first imagine. The special thing about the words we use is that, whether you are a person of deep faith, or don’t think about faith at all, the funeral service seems to do exactly what we need it to every time.