Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals.
Anyone living in our parishes is welcome to arrange a baptism (Christening) or wedding at one of our churches. If you live nearby and/or have a strong connection or link to one of our churches, do contact us to see if we can help.
If you are uncertain which parish you live in enter your post code into A Church Near You: www.achurchnearyou.com
Baptism
Baptism is the beginning of the journey of faith.
We often baptise babies and small children, wherein parents and godparents make promises on their behalf. One of the ministers will visit you at home and discuss the service and then if appropriate, arrange a date for you. Usually baptisms take place within is scheduled Sunday family service, so that the congregation can welcome you into the church family. To be a god-parent you need to be baptised.
Adults are also welcome to be baptised, whereon there is a short session of instruction in Christian Faith.
To find out more:
Weddings
All of our churches are available for weddings and we will welcome you, pray for you and help you both prepare for your special day. There can be church bells and organ or contemporary music and help with flowers and the clergy will meet with you to arrange legalities, explain the Christian wedding service and conduct a full rehearsal.
To find out more:
Who to contact:
Revd Gary Edmunds: gary.edmunds@hotmail.com for all churches
It is advisable to book wedding dates a year in advance; the parish office also holds the diary if you need to check availability
Funerals
Everyone who lives in one of our parishes has a right to a funeral conducted by one of our clergy or Lay Readers, either in the church or crematorium. We can offer a funeral in church followed by burial or cremation, a brief committal at the crematorium followed by a Thanksgiving service in church, or a full (but shorter) funeral at the crematorium.
All of our churchyards are still open for burials and all are available for Ashes burials.
Usually the funeral director will contact us to check suitable dates and availability. Then a minister will arrange to visit you at home, and together we will prepare the service.
Organists are always options at a church or crematorium service but some may prefer recorded music or even a more contemporary approach.
There are statutory fees for church funerals (these are displayed in all our churches) or www.churchofengland.org
Fees are never charged for the funeral of a baby or anyone under 16.
Memorial stones in graveyards, including those for plaques for ashes burials, need to be approved by the Area Dean. Please send applications to the Benefice Office, The Keep, 1 Castle Street, Stoke sub Hamdon TA14 6RE.
ALSO IN THIS SECTION