Funerals

A funeral marks the close of the earthly chapter of a human life. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world and to commend the person into God’s keeping. It is a chance to remind ourselves of the treasured memories that will remain. We consider it a privilege to offer you a really beautiful personal funeral service for your loved one.

Our ministerial team are happy to take funerals in St Peter’s, followed by burial or cremation or a service directly at South Tyneside Crematorium or Cemetery chapels; to bury ashes at a later date; to receive people into church overnight or to hold funerals in the context of a requiem mass – a service of communion.

Whatever the pattern of service, the words and actions all speak of a loving God and the preciousness to Him of every human being.

There is NO requirement to be a regular churchgoer – the Church of England will provide a funeral service for any parishioner, just ask your funeral director to contact us.

After the funeral

People who have lost someone close to them are often so busy with practical details and arrangements between the death and the funeral that they do not experience the full sense of their loss until later.

Grieving is a natural and important part of coming to terms with and healing this loss, and it may continue for several months. One often finds it is those who have suffered a close bereavement themselves, clergy or lay people, who can most easily offer comfort and support to those who mourn.

Comfort is also to be found in the promises of Jesus Christ, in the hope of the Resurrection and in the belief that the beloved person is safe in the hands of God.

We will try to keep in touch with next of kin, and provide ongoing support where we can. We will also invite recently bereaved partners to our fortnightly Friends Together gatherings, to help alleviate some of the loneliness and meet with other people in similar situations.