When someone dies, there’s so much to think about and so much to organise. We understand how difficult this can be, but we can help you say your final goodbye in a way that really helps.
If you would like help or advice from the church, just contact Canon Mark Taylor on Tel: 028 9337 3300. Mobile: 077 1961 9286 or email: mark205@btinternet.com and he will be happy to advise and help you with arrangements for the Funeral Service.
Refreshments following the Funeral?
If you wish to hold a reception with refreshments in the adjoining Parochial Hall at St Patrick’s Church, Whitehead, following the Funeral Service, please mention this to Canon Mark Taylor as above, for further details.
First steps in arranging a funeral
After the initial news of the death of someone you know and love, there are some important things that need to be done. These are two of the more immediate things:
Register the Death
Click on the link for helpful guidance regarding this: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/registering-death-district-registrar
Meet a Funeral Director
If you’re not yet sure which one to use, you can find one near to you on the Funeral Directory website or check out the local Funeral Directors listed below.
The Funeral Director will talk to you about what kind of funeral you would like.
One of the first questions they’ll ask is whether you’d like a burial or a cremation. You might like to discuss this with other family members if you’re not sure what the preference was of the person who died.
You’ll then be asked where you would like the funeral service to be held.
Does a funeral always take place in a Church?
Church of Ireland ministers can conduct funerals in four different venues:
- A church – normally at the church building where they are based i.e., in Whitehead or Islandmagee.
- At Belfast Crematorium Chapel.
- A municipal or private cemetery – this might be in the cemetery chapel or just at the graveside.
- A natural burial ground – the service here could be in the chapel or meeting room of the ground, or at the graveside.
The Funeral Director will ask about various other important details, including:
- Whether the funeral should be civil, humanist or religious. Remember you don’t have to be religious or a churchgoer to have a Church of Ireland funeral – it is open to all.
- Is there a particular minister or celebrant you have in mind to conduct the funeral service?
- Whether you would like flowers or to request family and friends to donate to the church or a charity in lieu of buying flowers in memory of the deceased.
- They might ask whether you have any thoughts on music or other special ideas to reflect the life of the person who has died.
- Whoever you ask to lead the funeral service will also talk to you about this and will ask you if the deceased left any instructions concerning their funeral wishes or arrangements.
If you choose to have a funeral at St Patrick’s or St John’s Church, our Rector, Mark Taylor will arrange to visit you to listen to the story of the person you knew and will go through all the details in advance of the funeral service itself. Contact details for Canon Taylor are shown above under the heading ‘Arranging a Funeral’
