Funerals

Arranging Funerals

For centuries, the church has supported people in times of bereavement. If you are reading this because someone you have love has died, then we will do our best to support you too.

The normal way people arrange funerals is through a funeral director. In Berwick, there are (in alphabetical order) Charles Mace & Sons (330099) and the Co-op (307438). It is possible to arrange a funeral yourself without a funeral director, but you would need to take advice elsewhere on how to do this.

Usually your chosen funeral director will contact the minister on your behalf. This enables the funeral director and the minister to ensure their availability to conduct the funeral on a day and at a time that is appropriate for you. We have a team of ministers in these parishes who are able sensitively to conduct funerals.

The minister will, if at all possible, meet with you to learn about the person has died and to explain the funeral service to you. If you live away from Berwick, we can do this in a telephone conversation.

In these parishes, we conduct funerals for those who have resided or died here.

Options as to where

It is possible for us to conduct funeral services at a range of locations. We have the three beautiful church buildings, which can hold both big and also intimate services. Neither the person who has died, nor the person arranging the funeral has to have been a regular churchgoer for the funeral to be in church. Some people think it costs a lot more to have a funeral in church. That is not the case. From the church point of view, it costs £27 more to have the service in Church compared to have one in the Crematorium (plus the cost of an organist if you want to play).

In terms of burial or cremation, most people opt to have the service, followed by the burial/crematorium. It is also possible to have the committal first, followed by a memorial service in church, and some people choose that option.

For burials, most people opt for Tweedmouth cemetery, but some choose the Berwick side. It may be possible to be buried elsewhere (like a woodland burial plot), but do speak with the Funeral Director about that. For those who died in Scremerston, or who resided there at the time of death, it is possible to be buried in the churchyard there. It is not possible to have any burials in the churchyard around Tweedmouth parish church (as it was closed many years ago). And at present, Spittal church does not have burials (although we are looking into how we might in future enable the burial of ashes there).

For Cremations, most people use Houndwood, as it is only 20 minutes north of here. Some people use another crematorium, and there are a range of options about which you can speak with the Funeral Director.

We can also conduct services directly in Tweedmouth cemetery chapel, or in a Crematorium.

The funeral service

We aim to conduct a sensitive, reverent, personal funeral service.

The main structure includes the following:

Entrance of the coffin, welcome and opening prayer
Tribute for the life of the person who died. Normally we write this with the next of kin/ family when we visit, and we make it fitting and personal, so we try to capture something of the life and personality of the one who has died.
There can be a hymn or two during the service - and we can advise if you want us to on what might be good.
There are a couple of relevant bible readings, and a talk from the minister about the Christian hope.
There are some prayers, including for those who mourn, and to give thanks for the one who has died.
We end with a commendation of the person to God, and usually a Committal (at the graveside or at the crematorium).

After the service

We are available to support you in your grief in the months following the funeral.

It may be that you need a listening ear. Our ministers would be happy to offer this - perhaps over a cup of tea. Do contact us if you would find this helpful. We could also pray with you if you would like (although there is no pressure if you don't want us to).

Some people find grief particularly lonely. We have plenty of occasions to come and be with others - craft groups, coffee mornings, various social occasions. Do come along if you would like some company - you'd be most welcome. Click here for more details, or contact us.

Some people start to ask big questions in life when they have lost someone they love. Some start coming to church, or want to join our Alpha course. Again, you'd be really welcome if you would like to.

We have a Bereavement Service on the First Sunday in October for all who have lost loved ones in the preceding year. Here, we light candles in memory of those who have died, sing some hymns and say some prayers. We invite all those who want us to, whose loved ones' funerals we have conducted.

More information