There are a wide range of services that can be held in order
to mark the passing of the deceased. If you click on the links
below you will find further sources of information
Church of England Funerals
Non-Church of England Funerals
If you have to arrange a funeral for someone who is of a faith
different from your own, it is important to contact the equivalent
of the local priest of the denomination to find out what needs to
be done. The following links to christian organisations may be of
use;
Muslim
Most Muslim communities appoint one person who is responsible
for making funeral arrangements. It will be their job to advise of
the rules and to select a suitable funeral director, another useful
link is the
Asian Funeral
Service.
Hindu
There are many possible variations of rites which depend on
their form of Hinduism. The
Asian Funeral Service can
give advice on and arrange Hindu Funerals. They can be contacted on
020 8909 3737
Jewish
Jewish funerals are usually arranged by a dedicated Jewish
Funeral Agency, or the local community may have a contract with a
Gentile funeral service, which will be carried out under strict
rabbinical control. The
Jewish Bereavement
Counselling Service offers support and can be contacted on 020
8349 0839.
Non-Religious Services
There is no requirement to have a religious ceremony, or any
kind of ceremony at all at a funeral. People that regard religion
to be unimportant or have made a decision to live their lives
without it may prefer a Humanist Ceremony
This type of ceremony is not intended to oppose a religious
funeral, but to provide a dignified and respectful celebration of
the death that has occurred. At this type of funeral the
services of an officiant, on the lines of a minister or celebrant
are commonly employed. They will conduct the proceedings which can
involve readings of appropriate prose, tributes by attendees or the
officiant and the playing of appropriate music.
The
British Humanist Association website offers advice on all
aspects of humanist ceremonies and produce a booklet Funerals
Without God: A Practical Guide to Non-religious Funerals which can
be purchased for £5 (including postage and packing).
Celebrants are trained professionals who can officiate at funerals,
weddings, namings or any other rite of passage.
If you don't want a ceremony at all, members of the family or
close friends can attend the committal, which can be in silence or
with some music being played.