Most funeral arrangements begin with your Funeral Director. They will guide you through the practical decisions — when and where the service will take place, who will be involved, and any specific requirements. They will then contact one of our ministers to confirm availability and discuss the details.

Once a minister has been approached by the Funeral Director, they will arrange to meet with you to talk about your wishes for the service and to learn more about your loved one. This conversation helps shape a service that feels personal, meaningful, and rooted in compassion.

Ministerial fees, church fees, and musician fees are normally included within the Funeral Director’s overall charges. 

Funeral and thanksgiving services at Bitterne URC are usually held in our church sanctuary — a peaceful, welcoming space for reflection, music, and remembrance.

Committals at the crematorium or graveside are arranged by the Funeral Director, who will liaise with the minister directly to ensure everything is coordinated smoothly. This means you don’t need to manage those details yourself.

We will help you create a service that feels true to your loved one. You may wish to include:

Meaningful Elements

• Favourite hymns or songs
• Bible readings or poems
• Tributes from family and friends
• A moment of quiet reflection
• Lighting a candle
• Bringing flowers or a special item
• A PowerPoint slideshow to display of pictures of loved ones during the service 

Suggested Bible Readings

• Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my shepherd…”
• John 14:1-6 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled…”
• Romans 8:31-39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God
• 1 Corinthians 13 – Love that endures
• Revelation 21:1-4 – God will wipe every tear

Suggested Hymns

• The Lord’s My Shepherd
• Abide With Me
• Morning Has Broken
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
• Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

You are welcome to choose anything meaningful to your family – traditional, contemporary, or a mixture of both.

Many families appreciate a space to gather, share stories, and support one another.

We can offer:

• Use of the church hall for refreshments
• Space for quiet reflection
• Help coordinating hospitality if needed with catering options, including tea, coffee, light refreshments or buffet.
• Room hire facilities, should you wish to host a reception or gathering on site

You can find more details about our spaces here: 

We can also help you plan a later thanksgiving or memorial service, especially if family members are travelling or if you prefer a more reflective gathering after the funeral.

Grief doesn’t end with the service. Our pastoral team is here for you in the weeks and months that follow – whether you’d like prayer, a listening ear, or simply someone to sit with you.

You are always welcome at our Sunday services, community events, or just to drop in for a chat.

Do we need to be church members? No – we serve the whole community.

Can the service include non‑religious readings or music? Yes – we can blend Christian worship with poems, songs, and personal tributes.

Can we bring photos or flowers? Absolutely. You may bring flowers, a framed photo, or items that reflect your loved one’s life. We can also display a slideshow using our PowerPoint system.

How are fees handled? All fees – minister, church, organist/musician – are arranged through your Funeral Director.