Funerals: Articles

Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) often go to their local Chaplain, or specialist minister for Deaf people to conduct the funerals of family members in BSL. However, it should be remembered that many Deaf people come from families where most of the members are not Deaf and may not have knowledge of the Deaf community.

In the last few years, I have increasingly encouraged members of my congregation to consider having a vigil eucharist on the night before their funeral. We are not an Anglo-Catholic parish, where the practice of a vigil has been more common, but I have found it to be enormously powerful for the mour

From the middle of November, shops, media and advertising collude to convince us that Christmas is magical, full of joy and fulfilment. Cares are banished and laughing children reinforce the message that sadness and anxiety have no place in the festivities. But what if bereavement means that sorr

It has always been difficult to have conversations around death, dying and funerals, even more so when it gets personal. However, in the past few years signs have been appearing that this taboo is under challenge. This challenge is partly being driven by demographics: the generation known as 'b

This is a moving and deeply honest piece, published in Reform magazine, written by David Goodbourn in the face of terminal cancer. 'Parting Thoughts' was published in 2013: David sadly died in November 2014.

Every week in the Diocese of Lichfield, our clergy and readers take an average over 160 funerals, yet when meeting with family members, people seldom consider how they will meet the funeral and associated costs. According to SunLife's report Cost of Dying 2014, death-related expenses now average

Discover what others are thinking and saying about death, dying and funerals, and find out how to submit your own thoughts.