Funerals
We welcome enquiries about funerals, memorial events, burials, and the interment or scattering of ashes.
If you are recently bereaved, or would like to discuss your own preferred funeral arrangements, we will seek to support you with appropriate information and care. Please do not assume a minister or church funeral is unaffordable. It’s very important to us that funerals are accessible to all so please let us know if our standard fees are going to be a problem.
Christian funerals acknowledge that people are more than physical beings. We entrust the spirit of the person who has died into the eternal care of God their Creator. In the funeral service we also ask for God’s continued care for our own emotional and spiritual journey. When people die it is important to commemorate their life, however long or short, from miscarriage, stillbirth and new-born death through to the death of a centenarian. In funerals we acknowledge together the impact of each death and the grief it brings.
It is fitting for funerals to reflect qualities and interests of the person who has died - this may include items they have made or cherished, poems or music, an exit guard of honour of dogs or hockey sticks etc. We are happy to discuss with you ways to personalise the funeral.
Funerals at our churches can be led by one of the Ashburton Anglican clergy or lay ministers, or you may inquire about using a Christian minister known to you. Our ministers are also available to lead funerals offsite if preferred.
Fees
Please do not assume a minister or church funeral is unaffordable. It’s very important to us that funerals are accessible to all so please let us know if our standard fees are going to be a problem.
Venue hire fee | Dependent on the space/s you’d like to hire
Please see below for your church options or view all hireable spaces and fees to see everything that’s available including our halls, lounges and kitchens for reception spaces.
Minister’s fee | $250 incl GST
Travel reimbursement fee (for offsite funerals) | Charged at the current govt km rate
Pianist/organist hire fee | $100 incl GST
Venue options
St Stephen's Church
St Stephen's Church
St Stephen's Chapel
St Andrew's Church
St Andrew's Church
Offsite at your preferred location
Please use the Funeral enquiry form below to let us know of your service preferences and we will arrange to meet and plan with you.
Funeral Directors
If you are seeking a local funeral director, Ashburton offers;
Memory Funerals | 0800 263 6679
Paterson’s Funeral Services | 03 307 7433
Bereavement Support
Oceans Loss and Grief programmes, developed by Anglican Care South Canterbury, are offered in the parish, including six week adult courses and nine week children’s programmes. Please get in touch for details.
