Funerals
If someone you know and love has died, a funeral led by a Church of England minister can be held in church, in a churchyard, by a graveside, or at a crematorium. The minister will be there to support you every step of the way.
Wherever you choose to have a funeral, it will reflect the unique life of the person you knew. Whatever will help make the funeral special – music, hymns, readings, tributes, even the type of coffin – can be part of a Church of England funeral.
How do I arrange a funeral?
If you need to arrange a funeral for a loved one, one of our local funeral directors will help. We will work with them to ensure you have every support and the funeral service you plan can be totally unique to your loved one. Everyone is able to have a church funeral, even if they didn't regularly attend church. The funeral service can happen in church, in the crematorium or at the graveside. We will support you every step of the way.
What about the churchyard?
St Mary's Churchyard has been 'closed' for over 20 years. This means that we are only permitted to bury or inter ashes into existing family graves. New burials and internments take place in Dunmow Town Cemetery, an extension to the churchyard opened in the the early 2000's and managed by Dunmow Town Council. Burials can still take place in the churchyard of St Andrew's, Barnston, for those who were resident in Barnston at the time of death.
There are regulations governing all churchyards which includes memorials and maintenance. You can read the churchyard regulations below.
With you every step of the way.
From the moment you are in touch with us, throughout the funeral service, and for as long as you need us afterwards, we’re here for you. The Church of England is in every community, and has been helping people mark the end of life for generations. Please contact us whenever you need us.
Churchyard Regulations
The following summary explains the general rules around maintenance of graves. For the full regulations please see the link to the handbook below.
No edging is permitted around graves (including wooden edging or temporary edging). No kerbs, stones, chippings, free-standing flower vases, etc. may be placed on or around a grave. You may notice that older graves do have these - the rules have changed on this and they are no longer permitted.
Only fresh flowers, or cuttings from shrubs and bushes, are allowed in memorial flower containers. Any cut flowers/cuttings must be removed from their cellophane or wrapping before being placed in the container.
We aim to be plastic fee so please do not leave plastic flowers or artificial plants of any kind. The only exception to this is artificial poppies in November and holly wreaths in December.
No other ornaments, eg: birds, windmills, wind-chimes, cards, animal figures, angels, seats, etc. are allowed.
Bulbs and small plants (not shrubs) may be planted in the area of a grave space, in front of a headstone. Plants must be kept neat and tidy, and all flowers removed when they have died.
All rubbish must be taken home and not thrown in bushes / wild areas or left to the side of / behind graves.
The Parochial Church Councils of St Mary's and St Andrew's reserve the right to remove any items that are not permitted.
For the full churchyard regulations please see this handbook from Chelmsford Diocese.