FUNERAL SERVICES

at Cemeteries and Crematoria

Directions of the Bishop of Ely in accordance with the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 and amending Canon 15, amending Canon B38.

THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE

The choice of the minister to conduct a funeral service at a cemetery or crematorium lies with the family or executors of the deceased person. Provided that the minister they choose has or obtains the necessary authority or permission required by law to conduct the service (see below), their preference shall, as far as possible, be respected. Under the provisions of Canon B1, the minister at a funeral may be a licensed Reader, provided that the consents of the next-of-kin and the Incumbent have been obtained.

THE DUTY OF THE INCUMBENT

The parish priest is to perform the funeral service of a parishioner in a cemetery or crematorium serving the parish, even though such cemetery or crematorium is outside the boundaries of the parish. In addition, the Parish Priest shall endeavour to provide for the pastoral care of the deceased person's relatives and (where appropriate) friends.

Parishioners, and persons on the electoral roll, now have the right to have their cremated remains buried in the churchyard of their parish church, provided that it is open for this purpose.

OTHER MINISTERS

If another Anglican minister is invited by those initiating funeral arrangements to conduct a funeral service at a cemetery or crematorium, that minister shall:

• obtain the authority required by law to conduct the service. He or she must therefore have the authority of the Bishop of Ely, in the form of institution to a benefice or the Bishop's licence or written permission to officiate;

• inform the deceased person's incumbent before the service, or, if that is impracticable, after it has taken place;

• assume the responsibility for the pastoral care of the family unless the deceased person's incumbent agrees to do so.

FEES

Notwithstanding the fact that any Priest, Deacon or Reader may conduct a funeral service, the fee still belongs to the Incumbent of the deceased person’s parish, and should be transmitted to that Incumbent by the officiating minister. Appropriate expenses are, of course, payable to the officiating minister.

FALL-BACK ARRANGEMENTS

Such arrangements shall be made by the clergy of every deanery (alone or in conjunction with other deaneries) to meet circumstances where -

• the incumbent is absent or unable to conduct the service and has not appointed another minister to act on her or his behalf; or

• those initiating the funeral arrangements do not wish the incumbent to officiate, but have expressed no preference as to the particular minister to do so.

The fall-back arrangements shall -

• designate the person in charge of the arrangements;

• take the form of a panel of clergy available to undertake fall-back duty. Such clergy must hold the Bishop of Ely's authority, and no other minister shall conduct a funeral service;

• require any minister invited to conduct a funeral service to ensure that it is necessary to make use of these fall-back arrangements as indicated above.

These regulations shall be binding on all ministers beneficed, licensed, or holding the Bishop's written permission to officiate.