Funerals can be a deeply emotional occasions when we say farewell to loved ones and commend their souls to God’s care. At All Saints’ we can help you to provide the best possible send off for your loved ones, and to remind you of God’s continuing love for you.

There are several advantages to having a funeral service in church:
  • The church building is a place where people have celebrated the whole of life for many centuries; it is steeped in prayer and Christian hope – and so it offers a more positive context in which to set a funeral service.
  • Service timings can be flexible, and they usually allow more time than local crematoria chapels or funeral homes.
  • All Saints’ can also comfortably accommodate about 200 people, but it is small enough to maintain a “personal” atmosphere for smaller gatherings.
Alternatively, the Parish Priest, or another licenced minister, can conduct a funeral service at the crematorium (e.g. Luton Crematorium) or at the cemetery.

When planning a funeral, you can contact the Parish Office for a preliminary conversation about the service. Make sure you also contact your chosen Funeral Director as soon as possible – they will arrange dates and times for the service directly with the Parish Priest. The Minister conducting the service will arrange a meeting with you to discuss the service and to 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.
What we offer
We offer a variety of services – at the time of funeral, afterwards, and around the anniversary of death.

  • Funeral
This simple and dignified service can take place at church, at the crematorium, and at graveside. It usually includes readings, music, and prayers – most of these can be tailored to requests from the family. The service may also include personal tributes from relatives and friends of the deceased.
  • Funeral Mass
This is the fuller form of a funeral, where the service is set in the context of a celebration of Mass (or Holy Communion). This type of service is a fitting send-off particularly for churchgoers and committed Christians.
  • Reception of the body at church
The body of the deceased can be received into church the day before the funeral (traditionally the afternoon before). The reception is accompanied by a short service of readings and prayers.
  • Interment of Ashes
The interment of cremated remains can be accompanied by a short service of readings and prayers. This type of service is usually more intimate – an opportunity for immediate family members and close friends to say their goodbyes.
  • Memorial Service
A service of readings, music, and prayers, with the opportunity for sharing personal tributes and messages – these can be tailored to the family’s requests. This service usually takes place sometime after the funeral and it is a less sombre occasion.
  • Requiem Mass
A Mass (or several Masses) can be offered for your loved ones shortly after their death or around the anniversary of their passing.
  • All Souls’ Day Requiem (2 November)
Every year we offer a Mass for those who have died in last few years. If you wish for your loved ones to be remembered by name at this Requiem, please get in touch with the Parish Office near the time.
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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 Funeral 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 the cost of a funeral?
Statutory fees are set by the Church of England nationally every year. Here are the more common ones. For a full list consult the Table of Parochial Fees (2022) here.
  • Funeral service in church or Funeral Mass £206
  • Funeral service at a crematorium, or at cemetery £206
  • Cremation after a church service £30
  • Burial of cremated remains in cemetery after a service £30
  • Burial of cremated remains in churchyard (no service in church or at crematoria) £172

The reception of the body into church on the day before the funeral is free.
No statutory fee is payable in respect of a funeral of a still-born infant, or for anyone under 18 years of age.
Non-statutory fees are set yearly by the PCC of Houghton Regis to pay for Organist, Heating (October to April inclusive), Verger, and Travel.
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 there is a particular piece you would love to hear, do not hesitate to ask.
Recorded music, such as songs, 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.