These days, many people are opting for (or being steeredtowards) a non-religious funeral, perhaps because the deceased did not go tochurch. But CofE research has shown that most mourners want a funeral servicethat is both personal and hopeful in the context of a supporting, caringcommunity. These are elements which the Church and perhaps only the Church can and does provide. So
maybe we are underselling ourselves? In times past, wewaited for the phone to ring for our services; now maybe we need to be morevocal in the market place and advertise the especially good and even uniquethings that the Churchs funeral ministry offers.
Some of these themes were explored in a diocesan dayworkshop held in May. Now a small Diocesan Funerals Group (Nick Wright, AlexVaccaro; Alex French and Andy Hewines) is seeking to help our churches anddeaneries respond imaginatively. One new step is to ensure that we have enoughfuneral ministers to readily respond to requests from funeral directors. It hasbeen agreed that suitable ALMs may now be encouraged to add to their trainingin order to become Authorised Funeral Ministers. But all church members havea role to play: encourage people you know to make their funeral wishes clear totheir families, and remind them of the good and important things that only theChurchs ministry can provide for their families when they are bereaved.
Please pray for all those who lead funerals in the Dioceseand if any of these matters are important to you or your church, do get intouch with the Funerals Group through Nick Wright revnmwright@btinternet.com
