Funerals
One of the greatest honours is for our church and its people to be alongside those who have lost a loved one. It is a journey we all go on at some time in our life, but it feels a lonely road.
We are here to help you negotiate your way through this difficult time with help arranging the logistics of a funeral/thanksgiving service, to the internment of ashes at St Winnow or a burial/internment of ashes at St Nectans Chapel. We are also here for you after the funeral guests and well-wishers have departed and life has returned to a strange kind of “normal”. Whenever you need us we are here.
Planning a funeral/thanksgiving
For most families when a loved one dies the starting point is to appoint a funeral director. They will guide you through the process of arranging a funeral and will make the process run more smoothly for you and ensure that all the legalities are complied with enabling you to give your loved one the funeral you want for them. The funeral directors will visit your family and discuss the options with you. If a church funeral is desired they will usually make the first approach on your behalf to the priest. Priests will also take funeral services in the crematorium, usually at Glynn Valley but it can be arranged at Penmount.
If it is a service of thanksgiving you wish to arrange direct contact should be made to the rector, Revd Paul (01208 592765) or to Catherine in the benefice office(01208 872232).
Planning a burial or internment of ashes
The first thing to note is that St Winnow is closed for all burials of bodies but remains open for ashes, although St Nectan is open for both. You do need to be aware that not everybody has the automatic right to have their body or ashes buried in a churchyard of their choice. Indeed St Winnow is closed for all burials of bodies but remains open for the interment of ashes. Only people in the following circumstances have a legal right to be buried in the churchyard of a particular parish even where that individual was not a regular churchgoer. If:
- he or she lived in the parish at the time of their death;
- they died in the parish; or
- at the date of death, his or her name was entered on to the electoral roll of that particular church (this is not the same as the civil parish's electoral roll).
There are no other circumstances in which an individual will have the right to be buried in a particular parish. It is also important to note that even those with a legal right to be buried in a specific parish do not have the right to be buried in a particular place. The only way to ensure that is to apply to reserve a cremation or burial plot. Please contact the Church Centre if you would like to find out more about this option which involves some paperwork and fees. If there is a significant connection with the parish and the incumbent priest and PCC agree, then the interment or burial may take place.
Erecting a headstone
There are detailed regulations stipulated by the Diocese of Truro concerning the materials the headstone should be made of, the size, acceptable designs and so on. The stonemason is aware of these regulations and will ensure that designs comply with them. In the first instance contact the stonemason who will assist you in completing the paperwork which they will submit to Revd Paul , the rector, for approval.
The current statutory fees for all of these services are available from Catherine in the office on 01208 872232.
Support in the days ahead
Lastly, but no less important, we are also here for you after the funeral guests and well-wishers have departed and life has returned to a strange kind of “normal”. Whenever you need us we are here.
A prayer for strength in the days ahead
O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die,
in our grief and shock
contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion
and grace to let go into new life;
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Further information about Church of England funerals