St James' Church Islington

Funerals and Bereavement

The death of a member of the family, or of a close friend or a good neighbour is always hard. Even when we think we’re prepared for it after years of caring for someone with failing health, when death comes, we discover just how unprepared we are. When it is unexpected, with no time for preparation the shock of it can be devastating. The break that death brings in our relationships throws us - we must organise our lives without that person being around, we may well feel really lost and we can also be quite angry.
This is true even for those who have a strong faith.

Yet, all life is precious to God. We are not lost to him - indeed we are ‘found’ in quite a new way – as we shall discover.

The clergy are always ready to be with you in these desperate times, to help with funeral arrangements, not only with the choice of music and readings, but also with ongoing support in the days and weeks after the funeral service.

Nowadays, many funerals seem to take place at a Crematorium or Burial Chapel.
But don’t forget that a funeral may also take place in Church – which may be the better place for many reasons, allowing unhurried time for a family to express love and appreciation for the person who has died. In Church you are not ‘tied to the clock’.
Your local church may be the place of many personal memories – “Mum and Dad got married here.”

A family’s first port of call will be with the Funeral Director (Undertaker), who may or may not suggest a Church funeral service. The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Director will have to ask for this.

Contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest)
Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS
E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org

Memorial Services
can also be arranged to coincide with the anniversary of death. Again, contact the Vicar.

All Souls’ Day – 2nd November
is a special day in St James’ year and is celebrated annually with a Sung Mass of Requiem at 7.30 p.m. (see Calendar).

The families and friends of those who have died and whose funerals have been conducted from St James’ (either at the church, crematorium or cemetery chapels) are invited to join us. The names of the departed are read during the Intercessions. For three weeks beforehand, lists are available inside the church for names of the departed. Names can be added to the lists in church, via our website Prayer Board or given to the Vicar for inclusion.

‘May eternal light shine on them, O Lord, with your saints for ever,
for you are rich in mercy. Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them for ever,
for you are rich in mercy.’

Contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest)
Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS
E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org

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Funerals and Bereavement The death of a member of the family, or of a close friend or a good neighbour is always hard. Even when we think we’re prepared for it after years of caring for someone with failing health, when death comes, we discover just how unprepared we are. When it is unexpected, with no time for preparation the shock of it can be devastating. The break that death brings in our relationships throws us - we must organise our lives without that person being around, we may well feel really lost and we can also be quite angry. This is true even for those who have a strong faith. Yet, all life is precious to God. We are not lost to him - indeed we are ‘found’ in quite a new way – as we shall discover. The clergy are always ready to be with you in these desperate times, to help with funeral arrangements, not only with the choice of music and readings, but also with ongoing support in the days and weeks after the funeral service. Nowadays, many funerals seem to take place at a Crematorium or Burial Chapel. But don’t forget that a funeral may also take place in Church – which may be the better place for many reasons, allowing unhurried time for a family to express love and appreciation for the person who has died. In Church you are not ‘tied to the clock’. Your local church may be the place of many personal memories – “Mum and Dad got married here.” A family’s first port of call will be with the Funeral Director (Undertaker), who may or may not suggest a Church funeral service. The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Director will have to ask for this. Contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest) Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org Memorial Services can also be arranged to coincide with the anniversary of death. Again, contact the Vicar. All Souls’ Day – 2nd November is a special day in St James’ year and is celebrated annually with a Sung Mass of Requiem at 7.30 p.m. (see Calendar). The families and friends of those who have died and whose funerals have been conducted from St James’ (either at the church, crematorium or cemetery chapels) are invited to join us. The names of the departed are read during the Intercessions. For three weeks beforehand, lists are available inside the church for names of the departed. Names can be added to the lists in church, via our website Prayer Board or given to the Vicar for inclusion. ‘May eternal light shine on them, O Lord, with your saints for ever, for you are rich in mercy. Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them for ever, for you are rich in mercy.’ Contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest) Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org Return to top
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