Funerals

Funeral Policy

If you have recently been bereaved, please accept our condolences.  

It is possible to hold a funeral service or memorial service in one of our churches for anyone who has an association with the area. However sadly this does not mean that the person who died can be buried or have their ashes buried in one of the parish graveyards

The Funeral Service

The service with burial or cremation will be according to the Church of England funeral service. There will be a bible reading, and the minister will say some words about the passage. There will also be space for eulogies, music and readings that are not from the bible. 

The Memorial Service

It is also possible to hold a memorial service to celebrate and give thanks for the life of the one who has died. They are usually held some time after the funeral. There are no strict guidelines for this, other than the officiating minister’s discretion on the appropriateness of the content, and the service will include a bible reading and promises made by God that we have salvation and the hope of heaven because of the sacrifice, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Burial in one of our graveyards

To be buried, or to have their ashes buried, in one of the open parish graveyards (at Norton, Overy and Thorpe), the deceased

or

     or

Burials in the graveyard are allowed when a long-term resident has had to move, because of infirmity, from their residence here to a nursing home (see note 2).

Churchyards and Memorial Stones or Plaques

Headstones and crosses for burial plots, and plaques for interred ashes sites are strictly governed by the Churchyard Regulations for the Diocese of Norwich, which are set as ecclesiastical by-laws by the diocesan chancellor, a high court judge.  Please note that memorials are not permitted until six months after the funeral; they are not to be erected without the permission of the rector.  A monumental stonemason will normally help with the application process.  For your convenience, the regulations can be found by clicking on this link: http://staff.diocesan.co.uk/documents/diocese%20of%20norwich%20churchyard%20regulations%20-%20february%202016.pdf

Please note paragraph 10.4 of these regulations, which refers to inscriptions; if in doubt, please contact the vicar directly for advice.

We work closely with our local funeral directors, Sutton's Funeral Directors of Wells-next-the-Sea, and you may find it helpful to speak with them

Their phone number is: 01328 710301.

Notes