Funerals, Cremations & Burials
Every parishoner is entitled to either a burial service (funeral) or to have their ashes buried in their local parish churchyard by their local parish priest regardless of whether they attended church or not provided that there is space available.
The churchyards at Silsoe and Pulloxhill are open for burials; the Flitton churchyard has been closed but burials can be carried out in the local authority graveyard. There is no right of burial in any particular part of a churchyard and, at present, the PCCs do not allow the reservation of plots.
If a service is to be held at the local crematorium, then the local parish priest may take the service.
The fees for funerals and burials and monuments within a Church of England churchyard are set nationally by the Church of England and are reviewed annually. There are also some additional fees which are set annually by the parochial church councils.
What does it cost?
The costs are set annually by the Church of England. In 2024 the fees are:
A funeral service in the parish church (or at the cemetery or crematorium)* – £228
(An additional fee is payable for assistance at the service when required)
Burial in the churchyard immediately following a service in the church – £366
Burial in the churchyard on a separate occasion – £399
*The vicar’s travel expenses to and from the crematorium/cemetery are also payable – usually £20. If a cemetery or crematorium authority has itself fixed different charges for the services of a minister in a cemetery or crematorium then those take precedence over this charge.
Monuments – approval fees normally range from £55 to £167 depending on the type and size of the monument.
The Church of England set Regulations concerning the size, form and adornments of all tombstones and graves which are located in Church of England churchyards. These can be found here.
For more information about burials, interment of ashes and monuments in Silsoe and Pulloxhill churchyards, please follow the appropriate links from their home pages.
Please contact either Rev Simon or Rev Louise for further information
01525 643478 RevSimon@3churches.uk RevLouise@3churches.uk
(Simon and Louise usually have Monday as their day off)