We are priviliged to be able to minister to those who have been recently bereaved.
If you would like a funeral to be held in one of our three churches, or for one of our ministry team to lead a service at one of the local crematorium, please speak to your chosen funeral director who will make the arrangements on your behalf.
Should you not have chosen your funeral director, you might like to contact one of the following:
R Gwinnell & Sons, Hadleigh - Tel: 01473 824440
Hunnaball of Ipswich - Tel: 01473 748808
Kingsbury & Saunders, Hadleigh - Tel: 01473 851959
Our weekly notice sheet mentions by name all those who have recently died. This enables the church community to pray for family and friends at this sad and difficult time. One of our ministry team will visit you to make practical arrangements for the funeral. The service will often include a tribute, a bible reading and perhaps poetry, as well as hymns, prayers and a short address. Two weeks after the funeral we will post a card to you and, if you would like, will arrange to visit you.
St Mary's Church is available, after a funeral or memorial service if you would like to serve refreshments there, rather than relocate to another venue. Please contact the administrator for details.
For costs see Benefice Fees in General Information.
Each year in late October/early November, around the season of remembrance (All Souls), an invitation is sent to invite you to a service of thanksgiving and remembrance for those who have died. This is a very special service and valued by many people. We automatically invite those who have lost a loved one over the last two years, but the service is open to anyone to wants to share in this opportunity.
The Story of the Fire Lily
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. [John 5:21]
The crackling flames rise skyward
As the waving grass is burned,
But from the fire on the veld
A great truth can be learned.
For the green and living hillside
Becomes a funeral pyre,
As all the grass across the veld
Is swallowed by the fire.
What yesterday was living,
Today is dead and still,
But soon a breathless miracle
Takes place upon the hill.
For, from, the blackened ruins
There arises life anew
And scarlet lilies lift their heads
Where once the veld grass grew.
So once again the mystery
Of life and death is wrought.
And man can find assurance
In this soul-inspiring thought,
That from a bed of ashes
The fire lilies grew,
And from the ashes of our lives
God resurrects us, too.