A funeral marks a person's death with the opportunity for family and friends to express their grief, give thanks for the life of a loved one and to commend that person into God's keeping.

Church family members and others associated with the Church will often choose to hold the funeral service at St. Margarets. This usually means that they will then proceed to the Crematorium or Graveside for a short committal. Sometimes, people will have a private burial service and then choose to hold a memorial and thanksgiving service for wider friends and family. 

There is often a mixture of emotions at a funeral, depending on the circumstances. Grief, gratitude, joy and sadness can often be combined, with the loss felt by the bereaved and yet precious memories recounted. Joy mingled with grief  is especially evident when we know that the person who died had a real love for God and accepted Jesus as their Saviour. We are reassured that our loved one is now with him and that we will see them again one day. A favourite song of many at St Margarets, based on Biblical words, reminds us of our future hope of the new heaven and earth:

"There's a place where the streets shine
with the glory of the lamb
There's a way we can go there
We can live there beyond time
Because of you (Jesus.)"

Before the service, the Vicar or a Lay Reader will try to visit the family at their house to empathise with them and discuss important memories and favourite songs and readings that will make the service personal and special.

 As well as including those special tributes of the person's earthly life, the service always reminds us that God's desire for each of us is that we will  know the security of a home with him and  reminds us how God makes this possible if we accept and trust his Son Jesus.

Bible: Revelation 21