Funerals
We care about you and those you love.
Organising a funeral can be a very difficult time for you and your family. This is why we, the Anglican Church of Bermuda, will do our best to offer you the support you need. We offer in-church or graveside funeral services, memorial services, and burials of ashes.
If there is to be no burial, or there is to be a burial of ashes and you are in possession of the ashes, you will not necessarily need the services of a Funeral Director as this can be handled by the parish church.
The Service
Tribute (Obituary)
A funeral typically includes a Tribute or Obituary and this comes at the beginning of the service. It is a summary of the life of the deceased, something about their lives, and who they were as a person. It is usually written by the family and read by a family member or by the minister.
Eulogy
The eulogy is where the deceased is 'eulogised', praised or respected for their spirituality. This is an optional part of the service and may be conducted by a visiting minister if the deceased was a member of a different church tradition. It is not normally included in Anglican funeral services.
Address (Words of Comfort or Sermon)
The Address, also called Words of Comfort or Sermon, is based on the Bible Reading(s). It may include some reference to the deceased if no Eulogy is given, especially if the deceased was a member of the church family.
Bible Reading(s)
The funeral service or memorial usually includes at least one Bible Reading. For example, this could be Psalm 23 or John 14:1-6.
Music
If the service is in church, you will need to think about music coming in (processional) and music going out (recessional) and if you wish to include any sung hymns. These can be played on backing tracks, or played on the organ or piano by the resident instrumentalist.
Prayers and Reflective Items
You are welcome to include one or two reflective items in the service — for example, set prayers, a musical item, soloist, poem, or dance. Many people choose a simple piece of classical or gentle music to be played live or from a recording.
Example Order of Service
Processional Music
Welcome
Hymn (optional)
Tribute/Obituary
Psalm 23 (optional)
Bible Reading
Address (Words of Comfort)
Hymn or Musical Item (optional)
Prayers (optional)
Lord's Prayer (optional)
Commendation and Farewell
Recessional Music
Committal (graveside)
Blessing
Pricing
- For funerals and interments with a coffin, these fees are typically paid to and managed by the funeral home who will also charge for the mason's work in preparing the grave. For interments only, the fees are typically paid to and managed by the parish church directly with no involvement from a funeral home.
Funeral in Church with Interment in graveyard
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- Most fees are set by the Diocesan Synod. These include the Minister and Parish fees. Parishes may add fees for a Verger, and Administration.Those who open and close graves set their own fees, and this will be included in the cost from the parish. Remember that including musical items in a service will add to the cost (for example, if an organist is required).
Graveside Funeral with/or Interment in graveyard
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- These fees are generally the same as the fees for being inside the church building, although there obviously will not be a fee for an organist. Some parishes may not use the services of a verger, depending upon the size and administration of the graveyard.
Funeral/Memorial with no Interment in graveyard
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- Sometimes the bereaved wish to have a memorial at a later date, or a funeral or memorial in the church when an interment has or will take place elsewhere, for example, abroad. The fee includes the Minister, Parish Church, and Verger fees. There is no requirement for a Funeral Director to be engaged for a funeral or memorial service if there is no burial taking place as everything can be arranged through the local parish church.
Other Fees
Music
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- You may choose to use the church organ or piano which is played by our resident instrumentalist.
Burial of Ashes (additional fee)
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- If you are in possession of the ashes, we can help you to arrange the burial of ashes in our graveyards, sometimes with a permanent memorial (depending on location). There is an additional a fee for opening and closing the grave.
- If the ashes are in a casket, this can be lowered into the grave. If the ashes are in a different container, then you may wish for a florist to place them in a basket with flowers.
- Please be aware that the grave opening can be quite small, and so a small basket with flowers is more suitable.
Grave Fees
Memorial Application
$300
- This is the application fee for a memorial plaque or headstone.
Church Grave
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- If you do not licence a grave in a churchyard, an interment may take place in a church grave. There is a one-off fee and there is no annual maintenance fee.
Lease Fee
$(Please talk to your parish church office)
- You may licence a grave. Many of the graves in our churchyards are licenced. This is a one-off fee. There is then an annual maintenance fee to pay for the maintenance of that grave for as long as you and your family hold the burial rights for it.
Maintenance Fees
$(Please talk to your parish church office)/ yr
- This is the annual Maintenance Fee and includes grounds maintenance, administration and recording keeping, as well as regular whitening of the graves.