Safeguarding
We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone in our church community. If you have any concern about the welfare of a child, young person or adult, please speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer.
As a church, we’re here to walk alongside you.
When someone we love dies, there can be a lot to take in. There’s sadness, of course, but also memories, questions, practical things to sort out and, sometimes, simply the need to have someone to talk to.
As a church, we’re here to walk alongside you. We’re very happy to talk with you about a funeral and to help you think through what would be right for you and for the person you’ve lost.
A funeral can take place in church, where there is time and space to remember a life, to give thanks for all that person has meant to us, and to bring our sadness and hope before God. The service can then be followed by a committal at the crematorium, or by a burial in the churchyard. Some families prefer a shorter service directly at the crematorium. Both are perfectly possible, and there’s no right or wrong choice.
If you’re not sure what you want, that’s absolutely fine. You don’t need to have all the answers. We’ll listen, talk things through with you and help you make sense of what happens next. And if all you need at first is someone to talk to, that’s fine too.
Christian funerals are rooted in the hope that death is not the end. They give us space to grieve, to remember and to give thanks, while entrusting the person we love into God’s loving care.
At Finningley, we can accommodate burials as well as the interment of ashes. If you’re considering this for someone you’ve loved, please do talk to us. We can explain what’s possible and help you think through the options.
For full details about what is permitted in the churchyard, please read our current churchyard guidelines (Revised 2024).
If you’ve been bereaved, or you simply want to talk to someone about a funeral, please get in touch. You don’t have to know exactly what you need before you call. We’re very happy to listen and to help.
“A place where people can come to pray, to remember and, wherever possible, to find beauty, quiet and peace.”
A memorial is a deeply personal thing - a lasting way of saying that someone was loved, and is still loved. We’re here to help you find a way to mark that which feels right for your family and sits well in this gentle, much-visited place.
If you’re thinking about a burial, the interment of ashes, or a memorial stone, the easiest first step is simply a conversation with our minister, Rev Neil Redeyoff. He can walk you through what’s possible, what to expect, and the small bit of paperwork involved - at whatever pace feels right.
Our churchyard is consecrated ground, and as with every Church of England churchyard there’s a shared framework that helps it stay a place of beauty, quiet and peace for everyone who visits. The summary below covers the things families most often ask about; please don’t worry about taking it all in - we’ll guide you through.
We usually wait around six months after a burial before a permanent stone is placed, giving the ground time to settle properly. In the meantime, a small wooden cross can mark the grave - a quiet, simple presence while you take your time deciding on a lasting memorial.
When the time feels right, Rev Neil will help you complete a Memorial Permit Form - it just records the design, wording and dimensions you have in mind. We'd gently suggest waiting until permission is given before placing an order with a memorial mason, so nothing has to be reworked later.
Natural stones - sandstone, limestone, granite or slate - sit beautifully alongside the older memorials and the church itself. A few materials are best avoided (white marble, synthetic stone and plastic), as are kerbs, chippings and lighting. Hand-cut inscriptions, kept simple and dignified, weather wonderfully over time.
Fresh flowers are always welcome and a lovely way to remember someone. A removable container sunk into the ground works well (just no cellophane or glass, which can get caught up in the mowing). Faded flowers are tidied away with care. Artificial flowers and other keepsakes are best brought on a visit rather than left, as they don't tend to fare well outdoors.
There’s a little more detail - on the interment of ashes, reserving a grave space, repairs and so on - in the full Diocese of Sheffield Churchyard Rules, if you’d like to read more. But honestly, the easiest way is to pick up the phone or drop Rev Neil a line. There’s no question too small, and no awkward time to ask.