Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die, but will have eternal life.
John 11:25-26
One of the hardest things in life is the death of a loved one. We all experience grief and loss in difference ways, and if you have experienced a bereavement, we would like to offer to support you through this difficult journey.
If you would like to speak to someone, please contact our Pastoral Care lead, Rev Philippa Donald to find out more about our pastoral team and how we can support and pray for you. Contact Philippa ‘here‘.
It is also a great privilege to support you through commemorating, celebrating, giving thanks for, and saying goodbye to, those who have died. The main way we do this is through a funeral service, but we also offer other occasions to remember and give thanks, through ceremonies to bury a loved one’s ashes, or reflective gatherings such as All Souls, which happens in November each year.
If you are looking for help in organising a funeral service in church, please contact us. We organise funerals in partnership with funeral directors and the Gloucester Funeral Project. Your funeral director may be your first contact, but do contact us as soon as you can, so that we can all work together to ensure you have as personal remembrance as possible.
For more information about Gloucester Funerals, click the image below.
At the start of 2026, Ian Donald ran ‘The Bereavement Journey’, a free 6 week course designed by Holy Trinity Church Brompton many years ago, now incorporating a set of videos to stimulate discussion. Many people joined us from across the benefice (and beyond) and found it really helpful. It explored topics such as attachment, the pain of grief and the responses from others, guilt and anger, and how to cope with change and a new identity. It was a great opportunity to learn more about grief, and understand how we process our own grief. The course was open to those of all faiths or none – but there was an optional seventh week when participants chose to consider questions of faith such as “Where was God then?” and “What happens after death?”
Don’t hesitate to contact Rev Philippa if you would like to talk about bereavement.