Ideas

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When there’s no body
I conducted a funeral service recently for a family where Grandma had left her body to medical science
Open When there’s no body

Prayer ministry shawl
This is something that a friend has shared with me. After her Dad had died, a couple from her local church came around with a squishy, slightly irregular parcel
Open Prayer ministry shawl

Remembering on Mothers Day
It is such an obvious idea in a church context, but for the last few years, we have always had a candle stand out on Mothering Sunday for people to light a candle as they come back from communion.
Open Remembering on Mothers Day

Monthly Memorial Service in accessible language
We have had a monthly memorial service in my parish for some years.
Open Monthly Memorial Service in accessible language

When children don’t come to the funeral
Some families don’t feel able to bring young children to family funerals. When this happens, I ask if there is a family member or friend who might take a few photos
Open When children don’t come to the funeral

Poppy prayers
This simple script for a prayer using poppies can involve everyone in prayers at a Remembrance service. Ensure as far as possible that everyone is given or takes a poppy as they arrive for the service.
Open Poppy prayers

Value of tweets/social media in eulogies
When visiting a family in preparation for a funeral, the deceased’s daughter told me about the tweets she had posted and received following her dad’s death
Open Value of tweets/social media in eulogies

Blue Christmas idea tried and tested
We followed the idea of Blue Christmas from Mary Hawes’ article and liturgy on this website a few years ago
Open Blue Christmas idea tried and tested

Book for conversations in the second half of life
The Church of England’s National Adviser in Adult Education and Lay Development commends ‘Seasons of my Soul’
Open Book for conversations in the second half of life

Blessing a Chapel of Rest
In recent years I have been asked to bless Chapels of Rest for two local independent undertakers
Open Blessing a Chapel of Rest

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