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Header graphic for coastal parishes.  Shows images of the three church buildings, the coastal parishes logo, and text 'Coastal Parishes North Devon and 'The church of England in Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Lee', with a background image of Woolacombe Bay. Overlayed image of St Sabinus - Woolacombe Overlayed image of St. Mary's - Mortehoe Overlayed image of St. Matthew's - Lee

Funerals at Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Lee. 

A coffin decorated with many flowers and candles in a beautiful church ceremony

At a funeral we say goodbye, celebrate the person’s life and commend him or her into the love and care of God.  At a memorial or thanksgiving service we remember and celebrate the person’s life.   While a funeral marks the end of a person's life here on earth, as Christians we believe that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is new life in Jesus after death. This faith is expressed through the hymns and prayers of the funeral service.

If you are visiting these pages after suffering a bereavement, we would like to offer our condolences.

Normally the funeral director will contact us to take a funeral service.  Some people find planning the funeral with family and friends helpful. Perhaps you already know something of what your loved one wanted. You may even have planned the service together some time ago. The minister who will lead the service can help you choose suitable readings, hymns and prayers and help offer comfort and support. They will want to talk with you to build up a picture of the person’s life. This may take only one meeting but sometimes it can be more. In such a service it is required by the Church of England that there is a Bible reading and prayers.

However, we say goodbye, each funeral service or act of remembrance is unique to the person who has died and the family who mourn their loss.

Any parishioner is entitled to either a funeral service, regardless of whether they attended church or not. Please contact us for more advice. The Church of England website also provides information on planning a funeral and the funeral service.

The clergy of the benefice are available to conduct funeral services in church, at a crematorium, or in a cemetery in the area.

We remember those who have died recently and their families in the prayers of the church – so you are very much in our thoughts and prayers during your time of great loss. We will contact you after the funeral to offer continued support and each year, there is a Memorial Service at St Mary’s Church, Mortehoe, usually in the autumn.  Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to do so.

For more information regarding the annual Memorial service, please do not hesitate to contact:

Church Warden:

Roland Grzybek  - email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – tel: 07801740328