Bereavement Friendly Church/ Funerals day

Funerals are one of the most significant points of contact between the Church and the wider community and yet numbers taken by clergy each year in most churches are in decline. This day will help clergy reflect on how they can better serve bereaved families, strengthen relationships with funeral directors, and communicate more clearly what the church offers, in order to reverse this decline and extend their pastoral reach into their parishes.

With input from The Revd Dr Sandra Millar, formerly lead on Life Events for the Church of England, we will explore the changing landscape around death and funerals, including direct cremation, social expectations, theological questions, the funeral visit, and the missional opportunities that funerals present. There will be practical guidance on shaping and delivering services with confidence, creativity and pastoral care.

We will also focus on making our churches more bereavement friendly, looking at Loss and Hope’s Bereavement Friendly Church Charter and The Bereavement Journey course, with practical advice from those running the course and a bereavement café in their parish setting.