Funerals in the Parish of Newbiggin

Coping with death, and facing the future

Facing death, our own or someone else’s, is something we all have to do, but coping with
the often overwhelming feeling of helplessness and grief is something we all do differently.
Many people, whether they are church-goers or not, find tremendous support from contact with us at times like this, knowing that although we cannot restore life and health when it draws to its inevitable end, nor give certain answers to every question, nevertheless we are used to helping all sorts of people face the inevitable, and listening to these questions even when the answers are veiled in mystery.

Facing death—facing the future
It may be that you are facing the possibility of death would like to talk to someone who is neither embarrassed or alarmed by such a situation, in which case we have three people able to support you through this situation, and these same three are also trained in bereavement counselling, for those who are struggling to cope with the process of grieving.
They are : the vicar, Revd. Judith Grieve,
the curate , Revd. Frank Walton,
and one of our church wardens, Mrs Liz Underhill.
Please give us a ring on 817220 if we can help in any way.

Funeral Arrangements
The more involved family and friends are, the more comforting they usually find the service. However not everyone feels able to be involved in yet more arrangements at such a difficult time, in which case we will do our very best to provide the kind of service we think will be most helpful to you.
After a death the first contact is usually with one of our local funeral directors, all of whom are very helpful and experienced. They will ask what sort of service you would like, and contact the vicar to arrange a convenient day and time. Services may be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church or at the graveside or local Crematorium. Initial arrangements are made through the vicar, but the service may sometimes be conducted by the curate. In either case we will visit you to offer as much support as we can and help you plan the service in a way which expresses your gratitude for the life that has ended as you hand back your loved one to God.
Sometimes people like to be involved in arranging their own funeral, and we are very happy to meet with you if this is the case to you consider all the possibilities.

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer your foot to stumble;
he who watches over you will not sleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
neither the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall keep you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep your soul.

8 The Lord shall keep watch over your going out
and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.     Amen

O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die,
in our grief and shock
contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion,
and grace to let go into new life;
through Jesus Christ.    Amen

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