Funerals
Help when we need it
Core to our beliefs is that death, whilst inevitable, is part of our journey through life.
Even though it does bring with it grief and sadness, it is also a time for celebrating the time spent with our loved ones.
Funerals are not for the dead: they are for the living.
This may seem a bit odd to say, but in reality, we are celebrating a life of a loved one who has, we pray, been welcomed fully into the presence of God.
In doing so, we let our own emotions shape what we do.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve: we are all different. There are many theories about stages and what should happen, but we are all different.
I can't find the words!
Some people are not sure what to say when someone has died, especially in tragic circumstances.
If you don't know, then don't say anything – your presence, your smile, your hug...is all that is needed.
Words can be tricky!
The Parish clergy are happy to assist in any way to help in the preparation of the funeral.
Funeral directors are also there to guide you through the process and their kindness and reassurance is usually what is needed.
Picking a funeral director can be tricky. The Parish strongly suggests looking to local companies that are members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association. They operate under a professional charter and hold each other accountable in terms of best practice.
Cremate or bury? That is a personal preference. The Anglican Church has no objection to either.
Honouring the wishes of the deceased is also important: a funeral planning guide is attached below to help you work through some of the things that your family may be asked. A hard copy can be sent on request.
Please keep copies of all the necessary documents with the guide, and let the family know where it is kept.
The Parish office also keeps a copy on file if so requested.
Other resources are available on request, and remember, God has given us all the gift of life, and no matter what our span of life is, all life is a sacred trust. Sometimes, we need to care more for ourselves, sometimes, the care we need to give to others is greater.
Can I have a non-religious service at the Church?
Whilst there is considerable flexibility, we are part of the Anglican Church and can only offer our Churches and Halls for the purposes of Anglican services of worship, with an Anglican bishop, priest or deacon or authorised chaplain presiding. This means that it is not possible to “hired out” or “used” for other purposes. We are not permitted to allow a civil celebrant lead, preside or participate at any part of a funeral service.
So, what is the Church funeral about?
Human beings have sensed the mystery of death, and the pain of grief, since time immemorial. Every society has developed rites to mark the passage from life through death, and to commemorate the dead. Today we do this through the funeral service, and the rites by which we lay a person’s body to rest.
The wounds of grief need time and care to heal. The funeral may help this process, by enabling us to acknowledge our loss, give thanks for the life of the person who has died, make our last farewell, and begin to take up life once more.
Christians believe in God, the source and giver of life. God’s Good News proclaims Jesus Christ to be our living Lord, who laid down his life for us. He knew death, yet triumphed over it, drawing its sting, and was raised by God to new life. Christians affirm the presence of the Spirit of Christ, who helps us in our weakness. Yet we, with all mortals, still face death. Those who put their trust in Christ share the sufferings of their Lord, even in the midst of God’s love and care.
A Christian funeral proclaims the Christian hope in the face of death—Jesus Christ, whose resurrection is the promise of our own.
A typical service in outline is as follows:
Church fees?
There may be fees for a funeral that are passed onto the families.
Some fees are set by the AFDA, some by the individual churches.
All Vicars have the discretion to waive some fees.
A typical funeral in the Diocese of Melbourne (recommended prices)
$300-350 for the Clergy (Surplice fee) (set by ADFA and the Diocese)
$200-400 for the Church if held on site
$175 for the organist or musician (set by the Organ Society of Victoria)
$0 - x for the flowers (seasonal variations make this hard to quantify)
Some churches will also prepare the order of service and a printing fee may be appropriate.
A quick link to the Parish Website of inner-city churches will indicate that the above is very much a minimum cost.
An indicative fee would begin at $1500.
Even though it does bring with it grief and sadness, it is also a time for celebrating the time spent with our loved ones.
Funerals are not for the dead: they are for the living.
This may seem a bit odd to say, but in reality, we are celebrating a life of a loved one who has, we pray, been welcomed fully into the presence of God.
In doing so, we let our own emotions shape what we do.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve: we are all different. There are many theories about stages and what should happen, but we are all different.
- If you need to cry, you cry.
- If you need to laugh, you laugh.
- If you need time and space to work it out: you take time and space to do just that.
I can't find the words!
Some people are not sure what to say when someone has died, especially in tragic circumstances.
If you don't know, then don't say anything – your presence, your smile, your hug...is all that is needed.
Words can be tricky!
The Parish clergy are happy to assist in any way to help in the preparation of the funeral.
Funeral directors are also there to guide you through the process and their kindness and reassurance is usually what is needed.
Picking a funeral director can be tricky. The Parish strongly suggests looking to local companies that are members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association. They operate under a professional charter and hold each other accountable in terms of best practice.
Cremate or bury? That is a personal preference. The Anglican Church has no objection to either.
Honouring the wishes of the deceased is also important: a funeral planning guide is attached below to help you work through some of the things that your family may be asked. A hard copy can be sent on request.
Please keep copies of all the necessary documents with the guide, and let the family know where it is kept.
The Parish office also keeps a copy on file if so requested.
Other resources are available on request, and remember, God has given us all the gift of life, and no matter what our span of life is, all life is a sacred trust. Sometimes, we need to care more for ourselves, sometimes, the care we need to give to others is greater.
Can I have a non-religious service at the Church?
Whilst there is considerable flexibility, we are part of the Anglican Church and can only offer our Churches and Halls for the purposes of Anglican services of worship, with an Anglican bishop, priest or deacon or authorised chaplain presiding. This means that it is not possible to “hired out” or “used” for other purposes. We are not permitted to allow a civil celebrant lead, preside or participate at any part of a funeral service.
So, what is the Church funeral about?
Human beings have sensed the mystery of death, and the pain of grief, since time immemorial. Every society has developed rites to mark the passage from life through death, and to commemorate the dead. Today we do this through the funeral service, and the rites by which we lay a person’s body to rest.
The wounds of grief need time and care to heal. The funeral may help this process, by enabling us to acknowledge our loss, give thanks for the life of the person who has died, make our last farewell, and begin to take up life once more.
Christians believe in God, the source and giver of life. God’s Good News proclaims Jesus Christ to be our living Lord, who laid down his life for us. He knew death, yet triumphed over it, drawing its sting, and was raised by God to new life. Christians affirm the presence of the Spirit of Christ, who helps us in our weakness. Yet we, with all mortals, still face death. Those who put their trust in Christ share the sufferings of their Lord, even in the midst of God’s love and care.
A Christian funeral proclaims the Christian hope in the face of death—Jesus Christ, whose resurrection is the promise of our own.
A typical service in outline is as follows:
- We gather in the presence of God and remember the person who has died.
- We listen and respond to the Word of God.
- We give thanks for the life now ended and proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ.
- We give thanks for the life now ended and pray for those in need.
- If appropriate, we remember the Lord's Supper, and share Holy Communion.
- We leave the deceased in God’s care, and we continue life’s journey.
Church fees?
There may be fees for a funeral that are passed onto the families.
Some fees are set by the AFDA, some by the individual churches.
All Vicars have the discretion to waive some fees.
A typical funeral in the Diocese of Melbourne (recommended prices)
$300-350 for the Clergy (Surplice fee) (set by ADFA and the Diocese)
$200-400 for the Church if held on site
$175 for the organist or musician (set by the Organ Society of Victoria)
$0 - x for the flowers (seasonal variations make this hard to quantify)
Some churches will also prepare the order of service and a printing fee may be appropriate.
A quick link to the Parish Website of inner-city churches will indicate that the above is very much a minimum cost.
An indicative fee would begin at $1500.
FUNERAL PLANNING GUIDEPlease click the title above, and a pdf document will open in a new window. You are welcome to save the document and work in your own time.
Most modern pdf readers will allow the filling in of the form on a computer. When you are ready you can send the completed document to [email protected] |
Australian Funeral Directors AssociationThere is a search option that helps find local members of the ADFA.
Please note: most extra things that you include in the funeral will result in a fee. |
What happens when we die?Two interesting resources, albeit technical in detail!
Firstly: The Coroners Court of Victoria All deaths are reported and there may be a process which will effect the time of release of a body for the ceremony. Secondly: this article recently appeared in The Age. Whilst medically detailed in lay terms, it does outline what physically happens in an accessible manner. (if the link has expired, let us know; but a search on www.theage.com.au website for "What happens as you die?" should bring the article up, hopefully not behind the firewall. |