The main difference comes down to timing and whether your loved one’s coffin is present at the service.

• A Funeral usually takes place within a few weeks of a passing. The coffin is present in the church, and the service concludes with the committal—the final, sacred moment where we formally say goodbye and commit your loved one into God’s safe keeping, followed by a burial or cremation.

• A Memorial Service (often called a Service of Thanksgiving) takes place without the coffin present. Because there is no time pressure, it can happen weeks or even months later. This is a comforting option if the funeral itself was small or private, if family members need time to travel from afar, or if you simply want a dedicated space to focus entirely on celebrating their life and legacy.

Can we do both? Yes, absolutely. Many families choose to have a quiet, private funeral or cremation with just immediate family, followed by a larger Service of Thanksgiving at St Luke’s where the wider community can gather to remember them.

You can leave the planning entirely to our Clergy, or you can take an active role in shaping the service. When thinking about the content, you might consider:

• Tributes: Would you like a member of the Clergy to give the address, or would a family member or friend like to offer a short tribute? (We usually suggest one to three brief reflections).

• Readings: Are there favourite Bible passages or poems you would like included? Is there a friend or family member you would like to ask to do the reading? 

Music can be a powerful part of saying goodbye.

• Organ & Choir: We can provide an organist for traditional hymns. If you are worried the congregation might find singing difficult, we can also arrange for a choir to lead the music.

• Sound System: For contemporary music or specific recordings, we have a high-quality sound system. Our team will help you coordinate this.

Children are most welcome at St Luke’s. We believe it is important for them to say their own goodbyes. They might like to place a flower on the coffin, or perhaps contribute a drawing to be included in the service or burial.

If you would like to arrange floral tributes in the church, please contact Claire Healey in the Parish Office (020 8772 0463). Flowers can be arranged either through your own florist or through the St Luke's Church Flower Team.

For those choosing cremation, we are honoured to inter ashes in our Memorial Garden. By placing ashes in the earth here, your loved one becomes a permanent part of the history and community of St Luke’s. Their name will also be inscribed in our Church Memorial Book.

Our care does not end with the funeral. On the first Sunday in November, we hold a beautiful All Souls Requiem Service. We invite all families who have lost loved ones during the year to join us as we read their names aloud and remember them together in prayer.

The core costs for church funerals, memorials, and burials are not decided by St Luke’s. As a Church of England parish, our standard fees are legally fixed by national church regulations and are updated annually at the start of each year.

The fixed legal fee covers the service itself, the opening and lighting of the church, and the standard administration. Please note that there are separate, optional costs for local additions you may wish to include—such as an organist or soloist.

We want to make this process as straightforward as possible, and we will always provide a clear, fully itemised estimate before anything is finalised.

• Download the 2026 Church of England Summary Table of Fees

• Please note: If you are working with a Funeral Director, they will usually coordinate these fees directly with us on your behalf as part of their overall account.