Planning a funeral

Funerals mark the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for family and friends to mourn, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world, to commend the person into God’s keeping and to receive the comfort of our loving God. It is our experience that a funeral service can be an occasion of thanksgiving for the life of a loved one and bring hope, comfort and help to those who are bereaved.

The first step would be to contact one of the local funeral directors, who will guide you through the practical steps and will be in touch with us. It would be our privilege for one of our clergy team to work closely with you and your chosen funeral director to offer support, and to seek sensitively and efficiently to plan a service which reflects your wishes for the funeral.

This may include any music you would like, reading(s), tributes and possibly some music and/or hymns. You may already have some ideas, but we want to help you plan something special and we take great care to ensure that the service is personal, for you and for the person who has died.

The churchyard at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Godalming is a ‘closed’ churchyard which means burials have been discontinued, unless in a grave previously reserved by Faculty, or for relatives of those already buried in the churchyard.

For parishioners, or where there has been a close connection with the church, cremated remains may be buried in the Garden of Remembrance following a cremation service.

To arrange a funeral, or to speak with a member of the clergy team, please contact our Parish Office telephone 01483 414135 or email godalming.church.office@gmail.com.

Additional information is available from the Church of England website.