When there's no body
I conducted a funeral service recently for a family where Grandma had left her body to medical science
Ideas
Prayer ministry shawl
This is something that a friend has shared with me. After her Dad had died, a couple from her local church came around with a squishy, slightly irregular parcel
Remembering on Mothers Day
It is such an obvious idea in a church context, but for the last few years, we have always had a candle stand out on Mothering Sunday for people to light a candle as they come back from communion.
Monthly Memorial Service in accessible language
We have had a monthly memorial service in my parish for some years.
When children don't come to the funeral
Some families don't feel able to bring young children to family funerals. When this happens, I ask if there is a family member or friend who might take a few photos
Poppy prayers
This simple script for a prayer using poppies can involve everyone in prayers at a Remembrance service. Ensure as far as possible that everyone is given or takes a poppy as they arrive for the service.
Value of tweets/social media in eulogies
When visiting a family in preparation for a funeral, the deceased's daughter told me about the tweets she had posted and received following her dad's death
Blue Christmas idea tried and tested
We followed the idea of Blue Christmas from Mary Hawes' article and liturgy on this website a few years ago
Book for conversations in the second half of life
The Church of England's National Adviser in Adult Education and Lay Development commends ‘Seasons of my Soul'
Blessing a Chapel of Rest
In recent years I have been asked to bless Chapels of Rest for two local independent undertakers
