Funerals and Churchyard

Arranging a funeral

If you are arranging a funeral, the best first step is to contact a company of funeral directors. You can tell them if you would like a funeral in church, or a service at a crematorium led by one of the clergy from St Mary’s. The funeral directors will then contact St Mary’s to discuss arrangements. Our clergy will then be in touch with you to talk about the service.

Of course we are always happy to help if you wish to get in touch directly with us. Our clergy officiate at funerals for those lived in the parish or have another link to the church.

Our churchyards

There are several churchyards in St Mary’s grounds, ranging from the medieval churchyard surrounded the old church tower, to the new churchyard extension on the other side of Church Street, which is still open for burials.

Gravestones and other monuments

Please get in touch if you have any queries about our churchyards, including burial spaces and permission for gravestones and other monuments. It is very important that churchyard regulations are followed and it is legally necessary that written permission is obtained before any monuments or additional inscriptions are commissioned. Funeral directors and monumental stonemasons can assist in making arrangements and providing the necessary forms.

Bereavement Café and All Souls’ Day

Each month we run a bereavement café, which is a space to talk about the pain of bereavement, and find mutual support and encouragement, when you need it most. Click here to find out more.

Every year on a Saturday near All Souls’ Day (2 November) we hold services at which the names of departed loved ones are read out and remembered. Keep an eye on our website, or contact us, to find out more.