Funerals can be a deeply emotional moments when we say farewell to our loved ones. The ministry team at All Saints’ can help you to find some sense of closure, to remind you of God’s continuing love for you, and to provide the best possible send off for your loved ones.

All are welcome to use All Saints’ Parish Church for funeral services. If you live within the parish of Houghton Regis, All Saints’ is your church. Similarly, the Parish Priest, or another Minister from All Saints’, can conduct a funeral service for your loved ones at the local crematorium, whether they had a particular connection with the Church or not.
 
There are a number of advantages to having a funeral service in church:

• The church building is a place where local people have, for many centuries, celebrated the whole of life – and so it offers a more positive context in which to thank God for the life of a loved one.
• Service timings can often be flexible, and they usually allow more time than local crematoria chapels.
• All Saints’ can also comfortably accommodate about 200 people (more than most crematoria), but is small enough to maintain a ‘personal’ atmosphere.

 
When arranging a funeral, the first port of call is usually your chosen Funeral Director, who will then contact the Parish Office to arrange the service times. However, you may like to approach the clergy direct. The Minister conducting the service will arrange a time to visit you at home to discuss the service and assist in making the necessary arrangements.

Prayers at a time of Bereavement
 
O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die,
in our grief and shock contain
   and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion
   and grace to let go into new life;
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
 

Risen Lord Jesus,
draw near to us as we walk this lonely road.
Pierce our weary sorrow and gladden
   our heavy hearts as you go with us,
and bring us in the end
   to your heavenly table.
Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions about Funerals

My relative wasn’t baptised, can we have their funeral at church?

Yes. If they lived within the parish of Houghton Regis, All Saints’ was their church, and whether they had any church connections or not, you can still hold a funeral service or a Requiem Mass for them here.

Will it be a Religious service?

Yes. There is a lot of flexibility in a Church of England funeral service, but certain parts define it as a Christian service – such as prayers, a Bible reading, and the Committal. But above all the most “religious” feature is Hope in the life to come; Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is new life in Christ over death.

What is a Funeral Mass?

A Funeral Mass is a Mass (a service of Holy Communion) celebrated as part of the funeral service. This is type of service is open to everyone, and it is particularly appropriate if the deceased and/or their family worship regularly.
A Requiem Mass can be celebrated for them at another date as well. Just ask the Parish Priest about it.

What readings can we have at a funeral?

One reading will always be from the Bible. Further readings, such as poems, can be added to this. The Minister conducting the service will be able to help you chose something appropriate.
Popular poems are,

• The ship, by Charles Henry Brent
  
• Remember me, by Christina Rossetti
• Crossing the bar, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• If I should go, by Joyce Grenfell

What hymns should I choose?

Hymns are a constant feature of funeral services. But this is just a tradition, and you don’t have to stick to it, if don’t want to. However, hymns can provide the right prayerful words to describe your feelings on the day, and encourage our trust in God’s continuing love for all. Popular hymns are,

• Abide with me
• All things bright and beautiful
  
• Amazing Grace
• Dear Lord and Father of mankind
• The Lord’s my Shepherd
• Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
• Love Divine, all loves excelling
• On a hill far away (The old rugged Cross)
• The day Thou gavest, Lord
• The King of Love my Shepherd is

What about other music?

The organist will play a selection of appropriate pieces at various times during the service. If here is a particular piece you would love to hear, do not hesitate to ask.
Recorded music, such as songs or classical pieces, can be used as accompaniment during the entrance into church and at the end of the service. Please talk to the Minister conducting the service about your choices, as a few pieces could, on second thought, turn out to be unsuitable for the occasion.

What about personal tributes and the eulogy?

A funeral service is often the time to retell the story of a person’s life, in all its uniqueness. The eulogy and personal tributes can help with this, and they are always better when they come from someone who knew the deceased. However, if you are not comfortable in speaking about your loved ones at the service, the minister conduction the service will be happy to read out your thoughts on your behalf. In addition, the minister can also help you drafting your tributes, should you wish them to do so.