Funerals at St Mary’s
We realise the death of a loved one is a very stressful time so at St Mary’s we strive to primarily care for those mourning. In doing this we work closely with family members and funeral directors to ensure an appropriate celebration of the individual’s life takes place. Our ministers are available to conduct funerals in our historic bluestone chapel or in our new modern auditorium building. We are also able to assist with services in Funeral Chapels or at a graveside. Our church buildings contains CD, DVD and powerpoint facilities, and an organist may also available.
Our new facilities are often utilised for morning, afternoon tea or lunch following the funeral ceremony, with external catering companies or the onsite cafe providing the catering.
Above all we seek to honour the person and God as we care for those mourning.
Memorial Garden
Memorial Garden at St Mary’s
On the north east corner of St Mary’s is a Memorial Garden – a quiet place for remembrance and reflection. In the garden is a cross, which was an original part of the church hall and reminds us of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and reassures us that we share in his resurrection to eternal life.
Ashes of loved ones can be added to the garden. They are interspersed with the soil “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” during an Interment of Ashes service. The ashes of the loved one are respectfully removed from it’s container and scattered around the garden.
As we do not have permanent markers in the garden, there is an opportunity for the name and details of the deceased person to be recorded in the Memorial Book which is kept in a display case inside the church.
The garden is maintained by parishioners of St. Mary’s. No private floral or other tribute can be placed in the garden. Access to the garden can be arranged by contacting the office during office hours. Outside office hours, other arrangements can be made with the Vicar with prior notice given.
