When someone we love dies, it is important to mark the occasion properly. A church funeral is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the person who has died, for all that was good in their lives, and for the way in which our lives were enriched by them.
It's also an important occasion for everyone else as those who continue to live in this world without the person who has died. For our own mental and spiritual health and the importance of the grieving process, it is vital that we have a chance to say goodbye properly.
Everyone is entitled to either a burial service (funeral) or to have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard by their local parish priest; regardless of whether they attended church or not while they were alive.
Our Vicar will consider it a privilege to help you explore a funeral service. You can either have the service in church at St Luke's or at the local crematorium, civic cemetery or green burial site with our Vicar leading the service. St Luke's does not have its own churchyard, but we often lead burials for local people at the Tunbridge Wells civic cemetery.
St Luke's has a small memorial garden for ashes and we can offer a final resting place for anyone who lived in the parish of St Luke's. We also help families who want to inter ashes at the local civic cemetery or at another authorised location.
Where do I start?
When a loved one dies, it can feel overwhelming. Not only are you dealing with your own loss, but there's the need to organise a funeral service and deal with a mountain of paperwork.
We would encourage you to appoint a Funeral Director as quickly as you are able. They will be able to provide you with important help and advice and take a great deal of the administrative load off you.
The following Funeral Directors are all local to our parishes.
- T W Boorman Funeral Services, 01892 884595
- E R Hickmott & Son Funeral Directors, 01892 522462
- J Kempster & Sons Funeral Directors, 01892 523131
- Co-Op Funeral Care, 01892 517152
- Southborough Funeral Directors, 01893 349076
- G M Valentine Funeral Directors, 01689 798448
- Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials, 01892 300330
Usually the Funeral Director will contact our Vicar for you and make the initial arrangements with the church, but please do feel free to approach our Vicar directly if you wish to speak with them; you don't have to wait for them to make contact with you.
Once a Funeral Director is appointed and the date, time and nature of the funeral service is agreed, our Vicar will make contact with you and your family and usually set-up an appointment to talk with you. At that appointment, we seek to find out more about your wishes for the service, and to find out more about the person who has died. We are always keen to make sure it is all as personal as possible and reflects properly the life and character of the person who has died. We also want to support you and your wider family pastorally and offer any bereavement advice, prayer and counsel that you may wish to receive.
One of the good things about a Church of England funeral is the ongoing presence of our Clergy. Once the funeral has taken place, our Vicar is still around for the long-term and continues to serve our local community. You are always welcome to ask for their help or support if you are struggling with grief, even if it's some months or even years later. They can pray with you and for you and also signpost you to local specialist bereavement support.