Life Events
Christening
A new baby is a source of much celebration, and a special service at church can be a wonderful way of bringing family and friends together to celebrate! If you would like a christening for your child, there are two options to choose from:
- Baptism is a ceremony with water in which parents and godparents promise to bring the child up to be a Christian – to know and love Jesus.
- Thanksgiving services are a bit more informal – they are a chance to thank God for the birth of the child, leaving an option for them to decide about baptism when they’re older.
We offer both services at either church to any family living in Clifton.
To find out more and book a date, please come along to one of the family-friendly services at the venue of your choice:
- Sundays – 11am @ St Mary’s (Clifton Village)
- Sundays – 4pm @ Holy Trinity with St Francis (next to the Police Station)
After the service, there will be a chance to talk to a vicar, receive a booking form, and arrange a date to meet up to plan the service.
Weddings
Weddings in church are a special celebration of love. It’s not only two people coming together but also an opportunity to pray for God’s blessing on the marriage.
If you live in Clifton (or have a qualifying connection), you can marry at either St Mary’s, Clifton Village or Holy Trinity with St Francis on the estate.
The total cost for a wedding in church in 2024 is £612, with the option to add extras such as bells (+£100), organ (+£80), and flowers (+£100). You can secure a date with a small deposit of £50, with the balance due a week before the big day!
For more information, please get in touch with us.
Funerals
When someone you love passes away, it’s a deeply emotional time, and we want to help give them the best send-off possible.
A Church of England funeral can take place in one of our churches, followed by a short committal service at a crematorium or burial service in a cemetery. Alternatively, the entire service can be conducted in the chapel at a crematorium.
We have a strong working relationship with Lymns and Co-op, and together we will create a service that is just right for your family. We will include special prayers, select a Bible reading, and leave plenty of space for personal tributes, poems, and music.
You do not need to be a churchgoer to have a Church of England funeral – simply inform your funeral director, and they will contact us on your behalf.
Burial of Ashes
St Mary’s Churchyard is consecrated for burial, and we are able to bury the ashes of your loved ones in the Garden of Rest there. This service is available whether or not they had a Church of England funeral.
We are not permitted to scatter ashes in the churchyard.
If you’re interested in burying ashes at St Mary’s, here are the details:
- You will need to select an available plot in the Garden of Rest. We can meet with you to assist in this process, as some areas without plaques are not available.
- The cost for burying ashes in 2024 is £192, which includes the minister’s fee, plus a digging fee of £40.
- The cost of a stone plaque in the Garden of Rest is £89. A form will need to be completed for this.
- The plaque should be 12” by 12” and 2” deep, light grey stone with black lettering.
- We can pour the ashes directly into the ground, or we can bury wooden or cardboard caskets (not metal).
- Certificates of cremation will be required for paperwork purposes.
- Temporary decorations around the plaque are allowed, but only plaques are allowed as permanent fixtures.
