Many who are faced with the loss of someone they have loved may not be able to bring to their situation the hope and strength of a well-tested and familiar Christian Faith.  It is the hope of The Churches Funerals Group that, for them, these services may afford perhaps not only comfort and support but also an opportunity for reflection and fresh spiritual understanding.

This A4 booklet has been designed to give practical help to family members or friends who have the responsibility of planning the funeral of a loved one.    The step by step approach of this booklet should help reduce much of the anxiety surrounding the occasion.

Includes a 'pull out section' of readings to choose from.

Helping to plan and conduct a funeral or act of rememberance is always a great pastoral responsibility.  Enabling the bereaved to express what they really want to say and to mark appropriately the uniqueness of the life that has ended, is an essential component of effective pastoral care.
This practical resource includes complete services for a range of circumstances.

This book is offered as a resource for those taking services connected with death and dying, those who offer pastoral care to the bereaved, and all who are asked to help plan a funeral or memorial service. It may be used in its own right or as a supplement to the authorised liturgies of the various Christian churches.

When a death occurs, clergy and other professionals working with bereaved families encounter not only a broad range of human emotions, but widely varying ideas about what death means, and vastly different expectations of what should happen at the funeral.  Added complications can and do occur. 
How is a priest or minister to speak the good news of the Gospel in each individual situation?  This sensitive and wise book equips all those who deal with the bereaved to fulfil their responsibilities with compassion and understanding, and to ask important questions about their own mortality.

Father Bill Bausch's homilies are always outstanding. He brings a deep pastoral presence and much though and preparation to each of them. Each homily reflects the communal nature of a Catholic funeral and is sensitive to the status of the mourners.   He regards the funeral liturgy as one of the greatest teachable moments the Church offers and here this is very evident.     Highly recommended for all priests, deacons and preachers.

(Canterbury Press  isbn 9780907547549) £9.99 

Bereavement is an experience that touches everyone, but no two people experience it in the same way.  For many people, coming to terms with the death of someone they love can be a very lonely and confusing time when they wonder if the way they feel is 'normal'.  In this honest and reassuring book, Sue Mayfield maps out the mixed emotions grieving people often experience providing practical, emotional and spiritual help for anyone living with bereavement.

What does bereavement feel like? What helps us endure the dark days? How can we grieve so as to be comforted and, in our own way, recover and create a new life for ourselves?  These Bible readings are for all who are going through such times, as well as those wanting to support others who are bereaved.

The death of someone you love is a shattering blow.  You are affected emotionally, physically, financially, socially and spiritually.  You face changes and have feelings that you have never known before.  You are unsure about what to do, what you need and who can help.

This simple, straightforward book is for people who have recently lost a loved one.  It offers support, explanation and information, speaking directly and personally to bereaved people, though everyone will find it helpful.

Elizabeth Collick, herself a widow, writes out of her own experience and that of many others to describe what happens in grieving, in the hope that it may bring strength to those in grief.  She writes of the yearning ache, the strange fears, the anger, guilt, frustration, loneliness and lostness which make us bereavement.

The book does not seek to soothe pain, but to help people 'come through' to life on the far side of grief.

This book aims to offer consolation and affirmation to those of us trying to cope with losing someone we love.  In the first section, we look at the Bible's teaching on life after death; the concept of the soul; the need to face the truth of our own mortality; living to the full; untimely death; suicide, and death as a result of a disaster or war.  In the second, the focus is on solace in grief; the comfort of Christ; our hope of life in heaven; being reunited with those we love, and the great communion of the saints.   Each chapter has its own helpful introduction, which is followed by a selection of meditations and prayers.

Jennifer Minney writes from her long experience of helping the bereaved, as well as from her own recollections of living through grief.

Although everyone's grief is different, there are recognised phases, each with its own set of fluctuating emotions.   The author explains the grief process and gently leads the reader through each of the stages, from the first shock and disbelief to healing and recovery.

This collection, with its rightly encouraging title, has brought comfort to many facing bereavement.  It recognizes the pain of loss but brings hope when we are ready for it.

This is a book not to be read all at once.  It is a perfect bedside book, to be dipped into when sleep does not come, when concentration is poor and when there is an overwhelming sense of loss. It will also be of use as a source book to counsellors, the clergy and all carers who work with bereaved people.

What lies beyond the far horizon of this world?  Is there a place where love truly is for ever?

Here are prayers of hope and consolation - and a glimpse of heaven for children.

Children are often forgotten mourners when someone dies. But they grieve and need just as much support as adults.

This book is for children of all ages who are adjusting to the death of someone close to them.  Carers and counsellors might find it useful to read it with children as a way of entering into dialogue and exercises.

In this story book, Ben and Fiona visit their elderly friend Theo, pouring over his collection of Extra Special Things.  Their favourite item is a butterfly.  Theo allows them to enjoy playing with the butterfly for a time, but eventually they have to return it to Theo so he can look after it.

In the same way, we sometimes have to give back to God someone we love - when they die.

This story includes guidelines for parents, carers, schools and others.

Our mortality is an ever-present fact of life that we only face up to from time to time in moments of crisis.  The author's conviction is that it is wise to think through the meaning of our mortality calmly and confidently as an ordinary matter of life.  He approaches it from the point of view of the Christian belief in God's eternal presence and the opportunity God presents to each person to realise it.
Indeed, the argument is that by so doing we shall enter more fully into the freedom of live and know the hope implicit in death.