Funerals and Memorial Services

“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – from St Paul’s letter to the Romans 8.38 – 9.

Coping with loss

Fr Simon and other members of the St Mary-le-Bow family are always available to speak to in the event of the loss of a friend or loved one. If you are reading this and are recently bereaved, please know that St Mary-le-Bow is here for you, even if just for a chat in church or over a cup of tea. If a friend or loved one has recently died and you would like to talk things through please do get in touch.

Planning a funeral or memorial service

Anybody who has had a connection with St Mary-le-Bow or Cheapside is entitled to a funeral at St Mary-le-Bow regardless of faith or belief. A funeral at St Mary-le-Bow takes place according to the funeral liturgy of the Church of England. If you do not have a connection, we would be pleased to help connect you to a local parish church for a funeral service and would be pleased to hold a memorial service here at St Mary-le-Bow following the funeral itself.

Funerals are an important part of the process of grieving the loss of a loved one and commending the soul of the person who has died on the next stage of their journey towards God. Funerals in church ordinarily take place in the context of Holy Communion or the Mass, as we celebrate our unity even now with the living and departed in the gift of the heavenly banquet we share when we receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist. They include music, readings, and tributes to the person who has died. It’s also possible to have a shorter funeral service without Communion that also includes music, readings, and tributes. Funerals can also take place at a crematorium or graveside itself. Funerals at a crematorium are shorter services but also include music, readings, and tributes based around the life of the person who has died. The fees set for funerals and memorial services by the Church of England vary from year to year, for the current fees, please contact us. For more information about funerals at St Mary-le-Bow or to enquire about arranging a service, please contact us .

Memorial Services

Following the death of a loved one who has had a connection with St Mary-le-Bow or expressed a desire for a memorial service at St Mary-le-Bow we are pleased to offer memorial services for departed loved ones according to a simple framework of music, readings and prayers. These often taken place sometime after the funeral and are an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the life of the person. Do please get in touch if you would like to explore a memorial service here at St Mary-le-Bow. For more information about memorial services at St Mary-le-Bow or to enquire about arranging a service, please contact us .

Music at Funerals and Memorial Services

Our wonderful Director of Music will work with families and loved ones to plan music and hymns to accompany the funeral or memorial service. Our repertoire includes a range of organ and piano music, and it’s possible to hire soloists or choral accompaniment for the day. Please contact us to begin discussing musical options.

Bells at Funeral and Memorial Services

Our historical bells may be available to be rung at the beginning and end of your service, depending on the availability of ringers. Bell ringers expenses apply. Bell-ringing at funeral and memorial services are by arrangement with our Steeple Keeper.