Funerals in the Anglican Parish of Devonport
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.’
The Church of Holy Trinity is available to the wider community for funerals. The clergy are available to take the funerals of those who wish to have a Christian funeral.
In general the funeral service on offer at Holy Trinity Church follows the format laid out in the New Zealand Prayer Book. The minister and family together select what is suitable for each individual funeral service.
Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life and that there is renewed life in Christ after death. The service reflects this belief.
The service also offers prayerful support for those who are grieving.
In the service we begin by remembering the person who has died and offering comfort to those who mourn.
We say the Lord’s Prayer.
We honour the life of the person who has died by way of spoken tributes.
We hear God’s word of hope and consolation from Scripture.
We give thanks for Christ’s victory over death.
We pray for a deeper faith for ourselves and for all who mourn.
We make our farewells to the deceased in a commendation to God’s mercy and love and conclude with the Blessing of Peace.
The committal of the body may take place at the graveside or the crematorium or during the service before the Blessing of Peace.
It is an option to include the Eucharist during a funeral service.
For a service of remembrance when the body of the person who has died is not present the Funeral Service without The Committal is used.
If you would like to hold a funeral at Holy Trinity or St Augustine’s please ring the Vicar on 4450378 and arrangements will be made for this to happen.
Prayers at the time of Death/ Last Rites.
Of all human events, death concerns us the most deeply. When death approaches, whether it be our own or that of someone close to us, it immediately becomes our principal and overriding concern. When people die their family and friends suffer loss, shock and grief. Grief is like a wound which requires care and time if it is to heal. Nevertheless, God’s love continues through our loss and in our grieving. At the time of and immediately after death the need for care is critical. People can be strengthened by prayers at the time of death.
Where possible the minister will ensure that the dying person is prepared beforehand for death. If the dying person wishes, The Reconciliation of a Penitent may be used. Prior to the service the person may receive Holy Communion if they so wish and/or an anointing with holy oil.
The Committal of Ashes
‘There is a season for everything.’ Ecclesiastes 3:1
After a cremation, the family may wish to mark the reverent disposal of the ashes in a significant way. The church offers a short service which includes prayers that provide the family with an opportunity to do this.
There is a Garden of Remembrance next to Holy Trinity Church where ashes can be interred. This Garden is reserved for the ashes of active Parishioners.
For many people the final resting place focuses a family’s grieving and their memory of the one who has died. The church offers a short service which is normally conducted by a priest for the unveiling of a Memorial, usually one year after the person has died.
All Saints Service of Remembrance
All Saints’ Day is marked in the Parish on the first Sunday in November. On this day we celebrate the lives of all people of faith, recalling how, in New Testament usage, the word saints refers to Christians collectively, as well as those people of special significance who have been set apart by the church or canonized. It is the recognition of the common bond of Christians, both living and dead, and the common bond of the church here on earth and the church triumphant in heaven. At this time we take the opportunity to remember those who have died.
For more information ring The Vicar on 4450378 or email vicar@holytrinity.gen.nz
Bequests
By Rob Hay, Vestry member
For all of you who consider the Parish to be your spiritual home, there’s something you may wish to think about if you haven’t considered it before – that is to leave a bequest to the Church in your will.
A bequest is a gift to the Church which has effect on your death. It is made by including the gift in a new will or adding it to your existing will by an amendment.
If you don’t have a will we strongly recommend you get one done. As a will needs to be signed and witnessed in a special way and have some clear wording for legal effect, we recommend it be prepared by a lawyer or the Public Trust. Lawyers usually have a relatively low standard charge for a straight-forward will, and the Public Trust will do it for nothing.
If you already have a will, an amendment to create a bequest is a simple, quick thing for your lawyer or the Public Trust to do.
Making a bequest to the Parish is a perfect way of helping the Parish in the years ahead. It could be stated in your will that the bequest is for a specific purpose – such as for the some aspect of Ministry or the upkeep of some part of Church property that you particularly treasure, or the bequest could be stated to be for the Parish’s general purposes.
Making a bequest is another way of giving now and in the future, and it is a good way, especially if you feel that you would like to be giving more than you are presently able to do. It is a way in which you can make a difference to your Church – to help it be the spiritual home as much for future generations as it is for you now.
If you would like any information on how to leave a bequest to the Parish, please contact Rob Hay 446 1044, the Vicar 445 0378 or our Parish Recorder, Simon Forrest 021 380 374 Email: simon@familyforrest.com.