Celebrating the life of a departed loved one
God gives life and God takes life away.
The taking away is difficult because what he has given is good.
Please accept our sincere condolences if you have recently lost someone much loved. You will have much on your mind at this difficult time and we hope the following information will help as you begin to think about making arrangements. You are much in our prayers.
The Vicar conducts funeral services at church and also local crematoriums. St John the Baptist is an ancient house of prayer where life and love are celebrated and where tears are shed in the saying of farewells. We want you to know that the church is always available for funerals and memorial services for the community of Wales and Kiveton Park.
We hope that you will consider holding the funeral service in church, especially if this holy place is where your loved one was christened or married. Please also bear in mind that elderly folk may be able to attend a church service, but might find it much more difficult to travel to a crematorium. It is also wise to use the church if you feel that a large congregation may be present.
We personalise each service to suit the unique personality of your loved one. We produce a special service sheet for all church funerals, which family, friends, neighbours and colleagues may like to take away with them. Hymns may be sung in church, other favourite or cherished music or song may be played on CD and personal tributes can also be given. A church service lasts just under half an hour and we would reassure you that we will finish in plenty of time for everyone to make their way to the crematorium for the short committal service. Obviously travelling time to the crematorium doesn’t apply in the case of a burial.
Your loved ones name will appear on the registers page of our monthly parish magazine, these are available in church after any service. Please contact the Vicar if you also wish to have their name entered into our church memorial book or for advice on memorials in our cemetery.
Finally, towards the end of the year, we hold an annual service to remember those who have passed away during the previous months. During the autumn months the Vicar will write with further details of this valued service, a time to symbolically light candles to help through the darkness of grief and in memory of those who are greatly loved and missed.
We also hold a service ‘Remember Our Child’ just before Christmas where bereaved parents are invited in a dimly lit church to light candles in memory of loved ones.
Death is a mystery, it comes to us all. As Christians we place our trust in God and the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
(Thomas Campbell)
Check out this useful link if you’re considering a church funeral
https://churchofenglandfunerals.org
For more information contact the Vicar on 01909 771111 or gary.schofield@sheffield.anglican.org
This guide has been produced by St John the Baptist Church Wales with support from Rotherham Churches Tourism Initiative (RCTI).
Text: Revd Gary Schofield
Funeral planning
It’s difficult to think of our own death. A little bit of thought can prevent a lot of stress for your family. Here’s something that will help them in the event of your death. So often families are unsure what their loved one would have wanted. With this everything is specified and it can be left with a will. Don’t leave your loved ones in the dark, complete this simple form by clicking on the link below:
Welcome to Wales Parish Church 