A Church of England funeral is available to everyone and anyone, with support given before, during and after the service, for as long as it’s needed. You or your love one doesn’t need to be religious or a churchgoer to have a Church of England funeral – it is open to all.
If you want to arrange a funeral, the first thing to do is contact the Rector, The Revd Clive Wylie, OC.
Funeral Directors
We work closely with several local firms of funeral directors, which include:
Burnt Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1HL.
01328 710301
Fakenham & District Funeral Directors
Weasenham Manor, Fakenham Road, Weasenham St. Peter, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2TF,
01328 838838
Funeral Policy
Funeral services can be held in one of the Creakes Benefice churches, churchyards, by a graveside, or at a local crematorium. The person for whom the funeral is being arranged needs to meet the Church of England entitlement rules for the Creakes Benefice. The person for whom the funeral is being planned must meet one of these requirements:
- the person died within the parish boundaries
- the person was resident in the parish at the time of death, that residence being their main and permanent home – please note this does not include second homes or holiday lets
- the person was on the electoral roll of a church in the Creakes benefice at the time of death.
In addition to an entitlement, we will hold funerals (and burials, if required) when a long-term resident has had to move, because of infirmity, from their residence here to a nursing home.
The rector, The Revd Clive Wylie, OC, can help the person arranging the funeral select prayers, readings, music, and other elements of the funeral service. There are Church of England requirements for funeral services as well, which he can go through with the person arranging the funeral.
Churchyards and Memorial Stones or Plaques
Headstones and crosses for burial plots, and plaques for interred ashes sites are strictly governed by the Churchyard Regulations for the Diocese of Norwich, so it’s important to work with a professional stonemason for advice. There are rules for inscriptions as well. If in doubt, please speak with the Revd Clive Wylie, OC directly.
Memorial Services
If a more extensive religious event is needed, a memorial service can be held after interment. This is a service to bring together a collection of memories, character of the deceased and celebration of achievements. There are no strict guidelines for this, other than the officiating minister’s discretion on the appropriateness of the content. It will remain a Christian service, have Christian sentiments and point to the promises made by God and enabled by Jesus Christ that we have salvation through the merits of his sacrifice, resurrection and ascension. To discuss further, please contact The Revd Clive Wylie, OC.
