Finding out about Funeral Ministry at Crematorium Open Day
On Saturday, 4th July, Hereford Crematorium is holding an open morning, from 10am-1pm, for members of the public, with an opportunity for them to meet others involved in funeral services, including Funeral Directors, Licensed Lay Funeral Ministers, and Celebrants. Licensed Lay Funeral Ministers (LLFMs) from Hereford Diocese, pictured, will be on hand to answer questions. LLFMs are a new strand of ministry in the diocese and received their training through a partnership with the Diocese of Gloucester. They are an additional resource for grieving families, especially for busy parishes, parishes in vacancy, and for families with little or no connection to a church.
Funeral Director Leanne Player-Jones, from Cheriton Funerals in Eardisley, said, “Vicars are often under so much pressure, it is really helpful to have an LLFM who has time to get to know the family. Often the family wants a religious element but does not know where to turn. LLFMs are a great addition to our list of potential celebrants. It’s especially helpful when no one in the family feels confident to stand up and give a eulogy. Funeral Ministers have the time to find out about the deceased and their role in the community. Sometimes a service will be led by both an LLFM and clergy, each taking a different aspect of the service.”
Leanne continues, “Celebrants, including Funeral Ministers, are able to lead full funeral services in the crematorium, but increasingly we’re seeing families opt for a ‘Simple Cremation’ which is a very short family gathering, only a few minutes, early in the morning. It’s a way for families to say goodbye to their loved one, to accompany them, but it doesn’t allow time for a service. Simple Cremations can be followed afterwards – even the same day – by a service in church or elsewhere, with an LLFM or clergy. The service then becomes a celebration of life which some families find less overwhelming than a traditional funeral. They feel that they can be more present. It’s very reassuring for us, as Funeral Directors, to know that people called to the LLFM ministry are carefully selected and have suitable backgrounds.”
Gill Layton, pictured above left, is one of the LLFMs licensed last year in Hereford Diocese and was herself a Funeral Director for many years. She says, “LLFMs are called to the Christian ministry of love and care for people in bereavement. Bereavement is naturally a highly emotional time; grief is an important part of the process of saying goodbye, and the church, including LLFMs, is there to support families through it. Families opting for a very short Simple Cremation may not be aware that there is still an opportunity for a church led service. In fact, everyone is entitled to a church-led funeral, even if they or their family are not regular church-goers. LLFMs are very willing to work with Funeral Directors to offer this, even in conjunction with a Simple Cremation. We are licensed to the whole diocese, although we need to be authorised to offer services by an incumbent in the deceased’s parish, or by the diocese during a vacancy.
Gill encourages people to attend the crematorium open day. She says, “Even a little bit of planning before the inevitable can make things so much easier for families.”
The Open Day is from 10am - 1pm on Saturday, 4th July.
Hereford Crematorium, Westfaling Street HR4 0JE.