A plan to boost church funerals
A group of university students have produced a campaign to help people plan better for their funerals.
The undergraduates - from The University of Chester marketing degree course - worked closely with our parishes and clergy in the Great Budworth Deanery to produce a report called 'The Funeral Project'.
The report – based on a survey of 150 members of the public, local funeral directors and clergy – highlights positive and negative aspects of the current local approach to church funerals.
The document chronicles the strengths of C of E funerals, including: pastoral and bereavement care; the importance of tradition and community; and the trust that people place in local clergy.
It also points out some weaknesses, including: a certain public perception that church services are outdated; inaccessibility on the part of some clergy; and a perceived inflexibility on what can be included within a church funeral service.
The report – produced by students based at the Padgate campus of the university in Warrington – recommends that the church should encourage people to plan in advance what they want at their funeral with the help of local clergy. The report also states that clergy should have the opportunity to take further training, enabling them to better meet public expectations.
The study came about after churches in the deanery noticed a dramatic fall-off in the number of church funerals.
The Great Budworth Deanery Chapter had been looking for an opportunity to work with the students at Padgate. Their Chaplain, Fr Ian Delinger, suggested that the undergraduates might wish to look at religious funerals in the modern age.
Jane, a former teacher and a former curate at Stockton Heath, who is due to become Rector of Grappenhall, Warrington (18 September 2012), added: “The students have become passionate about changing and challenging misconceptions about church funeral services. It has been great to work with them and to make connections between the local church and students at the university."
For more information about the project email revdproudfoot@hotmail.co.uk
Liaising with the students to project manage the research, the Revd Jane Proudfoot (pictured above) said: “While the report was challenging it was also very encouraging. The students, none of whom have church connections, saw much of value in what the church already does to guide and help people through this most difficult time.”
Posted on - 06/08/2012