Funerals

Christians have always believed that there is hope in death as in life and that every life is precious to God. Even those who share such faith find there is a real sense of loss at the death of a loved one. The Church is always ready to offer support and care to those who have been bereaved. 

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To organise a funeral you will need to get in touch with a funeral director.

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Funeral Services

If you are hoping to have the service in Church, or that a particular minister will conduct the service, please mention this to the funeral director at the earliest opportunity. Many services are conducted only at the crematorium or in the chapel at the cemetery; one of our ministers will happily conduct that service for you. When arranging a service, you may be asked by the funeral director if you have connections with a church and if you say 'no' you may be offered the services of a registrar to conduct the funeral service, but you can always ask for a minister even if you have no connection with a church. If the funeral service takes place in Church, you will need to choose whether this will be followed by cremation (usually at West Hertfordshire Crematorium in Garston), or by burial (usually at North Watford Cemetery). Unfortunately the Churchyard at St Lawrence is no longer available for burials, but ashes can be interred here in the Garden of Remembrance following cremation.

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Bereavement Visiting

A few weeks after the funeral has taken place, you will be contacted by a bereavement visitor who will offer to come and have a chat with you and see how you are getting on. Some people find this a great help and can give mourners an opportunity to discuss openly how they feel. Bereavement visitors from the church can visit as much as is required by yourself and your family. Our bereavement visitors also plan a Baby Loss Service every year in October, and they also work in collaboration with the other churches in the village to ensure the needs of the bereaved are met fully.

Garden of Remembrance

There is a Garden of Remembrance in the churchyard at the East End of St Lawrence specifically for the burial of ashes following a cremation. If your loved one lived in the parish or was associated with the parish it is normally possible for their ashes to be buried in this area of grass. Flowers can be laid to the side of the area.

Book of Remembrance

We have a Book of Remembrance in St Lawrence where the names of those buried in the Garden of Remembrance can be added. You may also include a few words.

To discuss any of the above with a member of the team, please feel free to pop in to the church office, drop us an email or give us a call.