Services, Funerals and Burials
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Our Services are:
Sundays
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesdays
10am Holy Communion
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Funerals and Burials
The area around the church has been a Christian burial ground for over a thousand years, with the ground used repeatedly over the centuries.
Being buried close to the church is a sign of the faith of Christian people that death is not the end, but rather the gateway to eternal life with God, and with Jesus Christ who rose from the dead.
Since permanent stones began to mark graves, most ancient churchyards are now full.
A hundred years ago a churchyard extension was opened at the junction of Shelford and Hauxton Roads. This was filled by 1990.
Fortunately, with the opening of a new extension to the churchyard about 15 years ago in the former kitchen garden of the vicarage, the tradition of having burials close to the church continues. Trumpington residents who wish to have a Christian funeral may still be buried close to the ancient parish church.
The Service
Today the service may be personalised, so that it is appropriate to the person who has died. Often a member of the family will give a tribute, or something will be prepared to be read at the service.
It’s always helpful to know the wishes of the deceased – and extremely helpful to those who are bereaved to know that they are following the wishes of their loved one.
A service in church is easier for many people to attend than one held just at the crematorium. We don’t just have funerals in church for churchgoers.
Cremation
If there is a service in church, going to the crematorium afterwards is increasingly a matter of choice. Some families prefer to remain together after the service in church, saying goodbye to their loved one there, and then going together to share food and fellowship.
The commital at the crematorium may then take place later in the day.
Where this happens, family members may come together later on a later occasion for the burial of the ashes of the deceased.
Sometimes families prefer to have a private service at the crematorium first, followed by a service of thanksgiving in church, which all can attend. Again, this may be done so that people can remain together after the service.
Music at the funeral
We can usually obtain the services of a good organist. Many students who are organ scholars at Cambridge have played here over the years. They appreciate the experience, and can use our recently restored church organ to great advantage. Other music can be included – sometimes a favourite piece of recorded music, or members of the family who sing or make a musical tribute.
Burial of Ashes
In the new churchyard extension a plot is reserved for the burial of ashes. Individual plots are not marked in any way on the ground. The names of the departed are recorded on the slate tablets on the walls, and flowers may be left there. Ashes may be buried in a wooden casket, or simply poured into a prepared hole in the ground.
Ashes are never ‘scattered’ on the surface – the wind, or the lawn mower would carry them away.
Burials
It is usual to dig a new grave at ‘double depth’, so that a second coffin can go in the same plot at a later date.
This allows a husband and wife to be buried together.
No plots are reserved, and no plots can be bought in a churchyard. The churchyard remains church property.
Ashes may be buried in existing graves, though this should not be done if it is likely that a second coffin will go in the grave.
Gravestones
Gravestones can last for centuries, and for this reason they are subject to the church’s planning regulations. The aim is to ensure that memorials are appropriate, and in keeping with the style of the church building. For a modern brick church, this might not seem important, but where the church is ancient, and built of beautiful stone, then gravestones should try to follow the traditional style. Pale coloured limestones, sandstones or granite are appropriate. Gravestones should not be polished – the church is not built of polished marble or granite. The use of slate is permitted.The soil in the grave needs to settle for at least six months before a gravestone is put in place.A fee is payable for permission to install any memorial – undertakers and stonemasons will give guidance about this.It is usual to mark the grave with a temporary wooden cross or other marker with the name of the deceased until a permanent stone is in place. No fee is charged for this; but it is expected that the temporary marker will be removed when the permanent one is in place.
Flowers
Often people like to maintain a grave like a small garden, with spring bulbs, bedding plants etc.. This is permitted, but shrubs and trees should not be planted, as in years to come they could make gravestones unstable, or cover a grave completely.
Traditionally graves were simply grassed over, and this makes maintenance easier. If earth is dug away from the plot it can be almost impossible to mow the grass around the grave without damaging headstones. Where it appears that a grave is not being maintained, we ask the groundsman to level the earth and sow grass seed.
Artificial flowers aren’t welcome in churchyards. It’s too easy to let artificial flowers remain for years, and they can be unsightly.
The variety of fresh growing and cut flowers in a churchyard is something which everyone appreciates, and we are very grateful to all who provide these. Besides remembering individual loved ones, they add to the enjoyment of all who visit the churchyard.
Water is available from the tap by the main entrance door to the church.