Funerals and Praying for the Dead

​Having to contemplate arranging a funeral is never something we look forward to. But the hope is that a funeral liturgy, whether a requiem Mass or a simpler service at a cemetery or crematorium, will in some way express our Christian belief that, in death, 'life is changed not ended'. 

Christians celebrate funeral rites to offer worship and thanksgiving to God, the author of all life. We pray for the deceased, and support the bereaved.

At the funeral also we can celebrate the life of the departed person. Our grief too is expressed, yet tempered with consolation from the support of family, friends and the wider community, and with hope in the God who does not abandon us even in death.

The preparation of the funeral liturgy is done with the parish priest. He will meet with the close relatives or friends of the one who has died to try to help with the choice of readings and music, and to get to know a little of his or her life and character, so that the funeral Mass or service will be as personal and comforting as is possible.

Documents about Funeral liturgy: 

• Preparing a funeral
• Preparing MY funeral service
• Full list of the Church's readings for funerals
• ​Guidelines for preparing a booklet for a Funeral Mass
• Advice on cremation and the burial of ashes

Arranging a reception after the funeral
There are obviously many places available that can host a reception. The parish's Newman Community Centre, immediately adjacent to our parish church,  is one such place.
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If you are interested in using one of its halls, please contact Kaye O'Keeffe, the Centre's manager by email or on 0121 321 2285 to discuss availability etc.

Catering for events in the Community Centre is available from local caterers, the Deli or the Coffee Cup. 

Praying for the Dead after the time of the Funeral
The Church prays regularly for those who have died. They are remembered at every Mass, for example, and at the end of Evening Prayer every evening.

If you would like to arrange for a particular Mass to be offered for someone who has died then Mass intention envelopes are available in the church. Please write the details on the envelopes provided and pass them to Fr Allen, or leave at the Parish House. 

In addition, during the month of November we remember the dead at a number of Masses and times of prayer particularly set aside, including visits to the local cemeteries to pray for those buried there. Details of these opportunities for prayer are published in the parish Newsletter.

• Prayers for personal visits to family graves