Bereavement Ministry

Bereavement Ministry

At some time in our lives, we all have to face the shock and sadness of the loss of a loved one.  This is where the Church and the Parish Ministry to the Bereaved comes in.  It provides support and is a hand of friendship, helping people come to terms with their loss.

In the immediate aftermath of a death, the Parish can assist with the preparation and planning of the individual’s funeral.

After the funeral and the busyness of the first few weeks, the isolation and loneliness of the bereaved can become very intense. For many bereaved people the need to talk is considerable. Telling the story often and in detail is primal to the grieving process and ultimately to the healing process.

It is now recognised how valuable it is just to sit and listen to allow the bereaved to talk about their grief and to weep if necessary.  The balm of a listening and uncritical ear can help heal the wound of mourning.  This is where the Parish Bereavement Ministry comes in.  It is not a counselling service, but rather a befriending in a sensitive and empathetic way.   The role of the Bereavement Minister is to listen and to walk sympathetically shoulder to shoulder with those who are grieving accompanying them on their journey.

During November, the traditional month of Remembrance, we hold a special Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance for the loved ones of parishioners who have died.  The purpose of the service is to allow those who mourn the opportunity to remember and give thanks for the lives of the family and friends they have lost, and to come together with others who are also experiencing the pain of grief.  The service comprises a number of hymns and readings and there is also time for private prayer and reflection.  Those attending are invited to suggest favourite readings, poems or pieces of music for the service and we do our best to incorporate them.

Nobody really wants to think about their own demise, but when we do, we think about our loved ones and what we would like to leave them.  What we do not want is to have them worrying about deciding on our funeral arrangements.  To ensure this does not happen, it is possible for funeral services and arrangements to be planned in advance and we can assist with these.  This can cover the actual arrangements for the funeral, but also the prayers, readings and music for the funeral too.

If you feel that we can help you, please contact either:

Father John Hine                             Janet Brierley
Parish Priest                                           Bereavement Minister
Tel: 01580 762785                                Tel: 01580 762526