THE Great Budworth deanery, in Chester diocese,
became concerned at the falling number of church funerals, and the
Anglican Chaplain at the University of Chester, the Revd Ian
Delinger, suggested that students at the Padgate site, who were
taking a marketing degree, might try to discover what could be done
about it.
The idea was taken up, and students and parish clergy worked
closely together under the project management of the Revd Jane
Proudfoot (above), a former curate at Stockton Heath, and
soon to become Rector of Grappenhall, Warrington. They questioned
150 members of the public, together with funeral directors and the
clergy themselves.
The result has been a report, The Funeral Project,
which chronicles the strengths of Church of England funerals,
including the pastoral and bereavement care, the value put on
tradition and community, and the trust that people place in the
clergy. But they also found weaknesses and misconceptions. There is
some public perception that church services are outdated and
inflexible about what can be included in a funeral service; and
some clergy seem inaccessible.
The report recommends that clergy should have further training
to help them better to meet public expectations, and also that the
Church should encourage people to plan in advance, with the help of
the clergy, what they want for their funeral.
Mrs Proudfoot found that working with the students was
challenging, but also very rewarding. "The students, none of whom
have church connections, saw much of value in what the Church
already does to guide and help people through this most difficult
time. [They] have become passionate about changing and challenging
misconceptions about church funeral services.
"It has been great to work with them, and to make the
connections between the local church and students at the
university."