Funerals

In times of sadness

The death of a loved one is a hard and painful time.

It is important to mark that time with an event that represents and reveals your feelings.

The feelings can be so mixed-thanksgiving for the life you shared, sadness in the time of loss, guilt because you feel you should have loved better, anger because others did not help, loneliness because no-one grieves as you do, fear for the future, hope that death can not be the end. It can get so tiring, so muddled. At the time you most need to get things right you feel afraid you will get things wrong.

This is when we are here to help. Whether you come to church or not, whether you have clear ideas of what you want or are quite uncertain, whether you want a funeral service at St. Laurence’s or at the Crematorium, the wardens, are there for you.

We are here to listen to your needs, to hear about your loved one and to create a personal service which is both honest to your feelings and at the same time brings comfort and hope. Ask your funeral director to get in touch or ring Margaret Antill direct on 01827 874520 or 077889 17822.

For us the Funeral Service is both human and divine. It celebrates every individual -their achievements, their character, their life and love. So no too services can ever be the same because each one of us is unique. But it is also divine because it draws on the strength and love of our Creator God who reveals himself to us in Jesus.

Our care and support does not finish with the funeral service. After the service we shall be  very pleased to dedicate a service at St. Laurence’s or St. John’s to your loved one. We will also invite you to our annual Memorial Service at St. Laurence’s at the end of January. In the meantime we are here to support in whatever way you would find most helpful.

The loss of a loved one is tough but you need not walk the walk alone. We are there to help

Burial or Cremation – Ansley Churchyard

We know that you will be reading this at a difficult and sad time. We have written this to help you make the right choice for your loved one and to ensure that St. Laurence’s churchyard remains a beautiful place of peace for years to come.

If you have a question or are not sure about something please do ask before you make final arrangements. 

For a variety of reasons there are a number of rules for Ansley churchyard which can differ from many other churchyards and cemeteries in this country.  So please read this before choosing to have a loved one buried, or an interment of ashes in Ansley churchyard.

Garden of Peace

The Garden of Peace is for all for the interment of ashes, especially for those not requiring a visible reminder of their loved ones but who would prefer their remains to be in the churchyard.

It is a unique place in the churchyard, open to all for the interment of ashes only. No other commemoration e.g. flowers or plaques are permitted.

Prior arrangements are to be made with the incumbent or wardens, who will notify the procedures and cost.

Unlike the cremation garden and the general churchyard, where we can only accommodate those with significant links with church or parish, the Garden of Peace is open to all.

Names may be entered into a Book of Remembrance on request and space will be provided for a message.

Gravestones:

A wide range of gravestone styles may be permitted in council cemeteries but the choice of what is allowed in churchyards is more limited.  The church warden or your stonemason can advise you on what is acceptable.

Flowers should be placed in a suitable flower container, incorporated in the memorial. 

Health and Safety: (Sorry we have to mention this!)

The family has the responsibility to keep the gravestone in a safe condition and to meet any repair costs.

Annual checks on all the gravestones within the churchyard are carried out to ensure they are secure.  If any issues are found, a note will be left on the grave and the church will attempt to contact the family.  However, if a gravestone poses an immediate risk to members of the public, the church reserves the right to lay it down to prevent injury.

Glass items should not be left on or around the grave as these can cause injury if they are accidentally broken.  For this reason, they will be removed immediately.

Graveside Decorations:

Seasonal wreaths are allowed at Remembrance and over Christmas. These and faded flowers will be cleared away in February.

To help us maintain Ansley churchyard as a place of peace, please follow these simple guidelines.

These are allowed

  • Memorial stone (approved by the Vicar or Area Dean)
  • Real flowers
  • Remembrance Day and Christmas wreaths 

But sorry, these are not permitted.

  • Glass items
  • Ornaments
  • Toys
  • Candles
  • Unauthorised changes to a gravestone
  • Unsafe gravestones

Please place all rubbish in the correct bins provided in the car park.

Please do not leave anything of value (either sentimental or monetary) by a grave or in a parked car, as the church cannot be held responsible for any losses.

Ansley Church Yard regulations