Arranging a Funeral

Your funeral director will usually contact Younis, the Rector for you and discuss the date you’d like for the funeral of your loved one. Or you are welcome to phone Younis  yourself if you prefer to discuss when the church is available, or discuss any arrangements for a service at the Crematorium only.   The member of the clergy team who will be officiating will contact you to arrange a suitable time to come and visit, and talk through what you would like to include in the service – hymns, readings, special music, eulogy/tribute etc. Together we aim to help you find the way of saying goodbye to your loved one which is right for you and your family.     

After the funeral…  

  Anniversary    

The love we share with those who are special to us is their lasting gift, a gift which remains long after the funeral service is over. At St John’s we remember the love which binds us to those we love – living and departed – and on the anniversary of your loved one’s death, their name will appear in the service sheet, so we can remember and pray for all those we love but see no longer. If you would like to include the name of a loved one among the list of the departed on the anniversary of their death, please give details to Younis on 0208 6572343 / 07504 721 294 

or email  revd.younis@gmail.com 

We hope that you will feel encouraged and supported by your church friends at this time. And of course, you are welcome to come along to the Sunday service in the week of your loved one’s anniversary and join us as we remember, or if you can’t make it on Sunday pop into church and pick up a copy of the service sheet to take home and keep as a reminder that your loved one is never forgotten, and continues to be held in the love of God- as are we all.    

All Souls Day – First Sunday in November   

 Each year on All Souls Day  we hold a special service of remembering for those we love and see no longer. Please see the church notice sheet for details. 

Christmas  

Christmas can also be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one, even when several years have passed. Each year, a few days before Christmas, we hold a special service “A Quiet Christmas” which gives an opportunity to acknowledge pain also reaffirm the hope embodied in the Christ-child who came to bring us life in all it fullness. Details of this service will be publicised in the notice sheet.   

 Father’s Day  

 There is a particular pain which comes with the death of a child – whether in pregnancy, as a baby, infant or adult. Parents, Grandparents, and all members of the family can feel the pain of their death particularly sharply. Each year on Father’s Day we hold a special service “For those we love.” especially for those who have gone through the pain of losing a child in the family at whatever age, and in whatever circumstances. Please keep an eye on the notice sheet for details.