The funeral service is an important way of marking the passing of someone's life
Whether at a church building, a crematorium or a funeral director’s chapel, a Christian funeral service holds at its heart a message of love, hope and promise. The centuries old words of the liturgy give a depth of meaning and certainty in what can be a very bewildering and disorientating time for those who are grieving.
Let's talk about funerals ...
A Christian funeral
Christian funerals are about giving the whole person to God and so your Minister will work with you to weave into the service words and music that are personal to you and the deceased. Family contributions in either reading a passage of Scripture or chosen poems, music and tributes are always welcome.
Ministers work closely with you and the funeral directors to ensure that you feel supported through the occasion.
For more information on Anglican funerals please visit Church of England Funerals or use the contact form on this page to get in touch.
What sort of funeral?
Every funeral and every death is different: you might be hurting with the tragedy of an unexpected death, or perhaps you are grateful for a long and fruitful life. Some deaths will be especially traumatic, distressing or unexpected. The Church has special funerals for children, or after sudden or violent deaths, including suicide. We would be glad to talk with you about what is possible.
Everyone is entitled to have a funeral in their parish church regardless of whether they attended church or not. Funerals can be big occasions with a packed church or can be very small quiet ceremonies.
Ongoing support
Funerals can also raise profound personal questions about the meaning of life and death, this is perfectly normal. There may not be much time around the funeral to properly reflect on these matters, but you can come back to them later and a member of the Ministry Team will be very happy to talk with you about how you are feeling and the questions and thoughts this has raised. The OVMC runs a bereavement course which you are invited to access usually a year after a death.
Opportunities to remember
Across the OVMC there are special services around All Souls Day (end of October) which provide an opportunity to remember your loved ones. At Ottery Church there is a special service at Christmas called “Blue Christmas” allowing a quiet time of reflection during what can be a very painful time of memory.
Booking the funeral
Please complete the form below. The OVMC Administrator will then contact you to discuss and plan the service.
There are fees for a funeral which differ according to a) whether there is a service held in church, at the graveside, at a cemetery or other location, b) where the body or cremated remains are being buried, c) when the burial is happening and d) if cremation is happening on the day of the service.
If a committal (burial only no service) is required, there is a separate price for this.
There are no fees if the person was under 18. There may be travel expenses for the minister taking the funeral.
The fees quoted here are valid for 2024.
Service in church
FIXED FEES
Funeral service in church: £228
BURIAL WITHIN ONE DAY OF SERVICE
Burial of body in churchyard: £366
Burial of cremated remains in churchyard: £159
Burial of body or cremated remains in cemetery: £34
BURIAL MORE THAN ONE DAY BEFORE OR AFTER THE SERVICE
Burial of body in churchyard : £399
Burial of cremated remains in churchyard: £192
Burial of body or cremated remains in cemetery: £83
CREMATION
Cremation immediately before or after the service: £34
Total fees are £228 + burial option + cremation if required
Service at the graveside
TYPE OF BURIAL
Funeral service including burial of body: £473
Funeral service including burial of cremated remains: £266
Total fees are based upon the type of burial
Service at the crematorium or cemetery
LOCATION OF SERVICE
Funeral service at crematorium: £228
Funeral service including burial of body or burial of cremated remains in cemetery: £228
Total fees are based upon the location of the service
Service at another location
LOCATION OF SERVICE
Funeral service in premises belonging to funeral director: £228
CREMATION
Cremation immediately preceding or following on from funeral service in premises belonging to funeral director: £34
Total fees are £228 + cremation if required
Burial only
TYPE OF BURIAL
Burial of body in churchyard (committal only): £399
Burial of cremated remains in churchyard (committal only): £192
Burial of body or cremated remains in cemetery (committal only): £34
Total fees are based upon the type of burial
There are a number of optional extras you can add to your church wedding service. The options and their prices vary per church so will be discussed with you by the OVMC Administrator once you have sent in your booking form.
Heating
Add some heating during the winter to warm up the occasion
Organist
Have the music you have chosen played on the church organVerger
Have an expert on hand before and after the service to help with proceedings
