Introduction
Of all human events, death concerns us the most deeply. When death approaches, whether it be our own or that of someone close to us, it immediately becomes our principal and overriding concern. When people die, their family and friends suffer loss, shock and grief. Grief is like a wound which requires time and care if it is to heal. Nevertheless, God’s love continues through our loss and in our grieving. The Funeral Service aims to strengthen our assurance of this.
On the one hand, Christians know that Christ has triumphed over death, and that therefore we need no longer fear it. The last event in our lives leads on to something richer. On the other hand, when we have loved deeply and received love, especially when this love has been lasting, the grief and pain suffered can be extreme. The loved person will not be encountered again in this life. The future seems uncertain and forbidding. It can be almost impossible for the sufferer to accept the loss.
Those in grief need to be strengthened by prayers at the time of death and their grieving before the funeral.
In the Funeral Service there is:
- opportunity to reflect on the life of the person who has died
- comfort for the mourners
- the commendation to God of the person who has died
- and the committal of the body for burial or cremation
The Funeral Ceremony
The Funeral Service may take two forms:
(1) when appropriate, a Funeral Mass of the Resurrection may be celebrated, particularly when the person who has died has been a practising Christian and regular Communicant at Mass.
(2) in other circumstances, the Funeral Service will take the form of readings, reflection and prayer which may include hymns and other suitable music.
The Order of Service when using (2) is:
- Gathering of the Congregation and reflective preparation for the Service
- Receiving the Deceased at the Church Door and the Funeral Procession
- Introduction and Welcome to the Ceremony
- Reading and reflection, which may include a tribute to the Deceased, followed by some music
- Prayers and space for personal reflection
- The Commendation of the Deceased to God’s keeping and the Blessing
- The Procession from Church and the journey to the Place of Committal for final prayers.
Who qualifies for burial at St Julians?
If the person who has died
- was a regular worshipper at SS Julius and Aaron
- or lived in the Parish of St Julians
- or their death took place in its boundaries
- or there has been a longterm association with the Church,
it is likely that the Funeral could be held at SS Julius and Aaron. The Funeral Director will enquire and make arrangements with the Parish Priest as appropriate.
Fees apply for Funeral Services which are reviewed annually by the Representative Body of the Church in Wales and set by the Parochial Church Council each year. The Funeral Director has all details of Fees for Church Funerals at SS Julius and Aaron.
Interment of Cremated Remains
There is a small area to the East of the Church (on St Julians Avenue) where the mortal remains of those who meet the criteria for burial in the Parish Church grounds may be buried, following cremation.
A fee of £150.00 has been set by the Representative Body of the Church in Wales for all such interments and applies in this Parish.