Having a close loved one die is a most difficult time. We will try to make sure the process of arranging their funeral is as simple and straightforward as possible.
The Rector, or whoever is taking the service from our church, will arrange a time with you to support you in your grief, chat about the person you have recently lost and discuss your wishes for the content of the funeral service itself. We are able to advise you regarding music, hymns, readings and orders of service. The church service is designed to help lead you on a journey to help you in your grief whilst respectfully honouring the person you knew and loved.
Your loved one’s name will be remembered in our prayers in the weeks following their death. We will also be praying for you and all of your loved one’s family members who may be grieving their loss.
We will also remember them by name at our Annual All Souls’ Memorial Service each year, to which you are warmly invited to attend to light a candle and write a prayer card in their memory.
Our care for you does not finish once the service is over. As your parish church we are here for you throughout the years ahead. If there is anything further we can do to help we are here for you, just get in touch by emailing or box
Our care for you does not finish once the service is over. As your parish church we are here for you throughout the years ahead. If there is anything further we can do to help we are here for you, just get in touch by emailing rparkermcgee@gmail.com or boxriverbenefice@gmail.com
A selection of comments from mourners follower their loved one’s funeral
“I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and everything you have done to support us since Mum died. It feels like fate that my sister walked into your church that day. I knew then that there was no one else we wanted but you for the service. I don’t know how you did it but you captured the essence of Mum perfectly in your talk despite never having met her. I have had endless people come up to me and say how wonderful you were, including those who are Catholic so you really did deal with the service perfectly. I know it means the world to Dad.” (Mrs W, July 2022)
‘I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of my mother, my sister and all the family for all you did for us leading up to and during the funeral… We really appreciated how the service went and what you said in the Eulogy. And for all your help afterwards. Your help made a sad time a little less difficult.’ (Mrs J, Dec 2021)
‘Thank you so much for yesterday. We’ve had so many amazing comments about the service. Friends & family thought you were very good indeed, and have been quoting things you said. Thank you so much for standing by to assist (our little boy) – we are SO HAPPY that he wanted to read their poem and did it so well!.. I think Dad would have loved the service and the fact that the church was full of family & friends. A lovely afternoon.’ (H, Dec 2021)
‘I really wanted to write to you to say how much I appreciated your words, spaces, and warm heart in delivering dad’s funeral yesterday… The atmosphere that you helped create enabled me to express a whole spectrum of emotions and feelings; from love to sadness and some laughter at the very end.’ (Ms R, Dec 2021)
‘On behalf of us all, I would like to pass on a heartfelt thank you for the service you conducted in celebration of mum’s life. Your words were gentle and uplifting and were exactly what we needed to see us through. You were absolutely right about love and how it is better for us to have known it than to have gone without.’ (Mrs P, July 21)
I would like to thank you from our family for the service you conducted last week for Mum… we felt it was a lovely occasion and thank you for making it so special for us, and Mum. Now she is at last in her final resting place where she always wished to be.’ (L & M, July 21)
‘Thank you for conducting such a lovely, personal and fitting service for our mum.’ (Mrs S, June 21)
‘A few lines to say thank you for the lovely service you did for us on Wednesday in helping us say our farewells to Mum and lay her to rest with dad. All family and friends have said under such difficult circumstances it was a truly warm and comforting occasion’ (Mrs R, Oct 20)
‘to say a big thank you for a very heartfelt and warm service that you did yesterday for our mother. Your words of comfort where a blessing to us all, it felt that you had known our mother for a very long time. It could have not been easy for you after your accident, we thank you for your dedication and help on the day… Every body said what a lovely service it was under the Covid-19 restrictions. So once more a big thank you to you.’ (M, Oct 20)
‘Thank you so much for the service on Thursday all agreed the day was wonderful – you played a big role in making it so. At long last he is laid to rest.’ (Mrs T, Sept 20)
‘I would like to thank you very much for the service for mums burial earlier today. It was both solemn enough to express our deep sadness at mums passing but also cheery and uplifting to enable us to deal with our grief, appreciate the time we had with mum and value what she has left behind. I know the whole family greatly appreciate all you have done for us and for the lovely service and we all offer our heartfelt thanks.’ (Mr A, July 20)
‘Thank you for your kindness leading up to my wife’s funeral and for the lovely service you did for her. It was perfect and very fitting and it helped me feel that we have done all we could for her at the last. I’m not a regular visitor to church, but sometimes it’s just the place to be.’ (Mr S, June 20)
The Box River Benefice 