Funerals
The death of a loved one is one of life's most difficult moments. At St. James Westminster, we have accompanied families through Christian funerals for generations, helping them create services that honour the life of the person who has died, while proclaiming the hope of Christ's resurrection.
A well-planned funeral offers space for grief, thanksgiving, remembrance, and healing, and we are committed to guiding families with compassion, wisdom, and care throughout the process.
Our clergy will help you prepare a service that reflects both the Christian faith and the unique life of your loved one, choosing meaningful Scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and music. Alongside them, our Parish Funeral Coordinator serves as a dedicated point of contact, working closely with your family, the clergy, musicians, hospitality teams, and the funeral home to ensure every detail is thoughtfully arranged. Drawing on many years of experience, we help families navigate the practical decisions with confidence, allowing them to focus on remembering, grieving, and supporting one another.
Funeral and memorial services may be held in our church, at a funeral home, or at the graveside. Whatever the setting, we are honoured to walk with you before, during, and after the service.
The clergy and staff are committed to making the funeral service a meaningful and healing experience.
For your assistance in planning your loved one’s funeral, here are our funeral policies and procedures.
Funeral Planning
Clergy will work with family to plan the appropriate funeral service that conforms to Anglican liturgical norms and reflects the life of the deceased. The clergy will suggest appropriate hymns and scripture lessons, though family members are encouraged to offer their suggestions.
Funeral Date
Clergy will always seek to accommodate a family’s time frame for a funeral. Funerals can occur weekdays and Saturdays and Statutory Holidays. Sunday funerals are discouraged unless there is an urgent pastoral reason. Because of worship services in the morning, funerals can be conducted only between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. provided the church is not being used for other events. They cannot be bound to comply with a pre-planned funeral date where no prior notice has been given.
Funerals outside of the Church
Clergy may conduct funerals at other locations in place of a formal church service.
Travelling to the Cemetery
If the cemetery is within the London city limits, clergy may accompany the body or ashes for interment. However, if the cemetery is beyond the London city limits, the family is requested to obtain local clergy for the burial.
Speakers at Funerals
Clergy usually preach at funerals, but family and friends may speak, offering remembrances of the deceased. One or two speakers are sufficient.
Music
The Director of Music has the right of refusal on all services. Arrangements for alternate musicians or musical collaboration need to be made with the parish’s
Director of Music and Clergy.
Funeral Costs
Clergy $400 (payable to priest)
Organist and other musicians
$300 per person
(payable to organist/musician)
Audio Livestream/recording
$200 (payable to audio technician)
Administration Fee (may be waived if funeral home is coordinating the service)
$400.00 (payable to St. James Westminster Church)
Facility Fee for Reception
$400.00 (payable to St. James Westminster Church)
Memorial Garden Service/Plaque
Suggested donation of $500 (made out to St. James Westminster Church; Memo: Memorial Garden)
Note: No one is ever denied Christian burial due to an inability to pay funeral costs. Please speak with the clergy about your particular situation. All conversations are strictly confidential.
Memorial presentation.
Décor of Caskets and Urns
It is common practice for caskets during a funeral service to be covered with a white funeral pall or a Canadian flag if the deceased was a veteran. An urn with ashes is covered with a white mini pall. While it is traditional for this to happen, it is not strictly necessary. The white pall is a symbol of resurrection and new life.
Open Casket
Some people prefer an open casket for viewings and visitation before the funeral service. However, under no conditions may there be an open casket during a funeral service in the church.
Flowers
Whether to have flowers or not is at the discretion of the family that covers the cost and chooses the arrangements.
Memorial Table
A memorial table containing photos and mementoes of the deceased is permissible.
Audio-Visual Equipment
While the church does not videotape or video stream the funeral service, the family may do so. The church can provide audio livestreaming and recording of the service.
In their memory.
Receptions
A reception may be held in the church hall following the service. The church will provide setup of tables, as well as coffee and tea, and will clean up afterwards. The family must arrange catering for any food they wish to have.
Memorial Garden
The St. James Westminster Memorial Garden is a sacred place of remembrance and reflection where the family may hold a service of remembrance. There is a suggested donation of $500, to help cover the cost of a bronze plaque memorializing your loved one and perpetual care of the garden.
Find Us
Saint James Westminster Anglican Church
115 Askin St, London, ON N6C 1E7
Accessibility
Our designated accessible entrance is through the parking lot at 120 Bruce Street. There is accessible parking there and there is accessible seating space directly inside the doors to the sanctuary. Please note that there is no accessible entrance on Askin Street.
If you have questions about accessibility or would like assistance before your visit, please contact the parish office. We are always happy to help.
Parking
Parking is available in our lot at 120 Bruce Street. Bruce Street is one-way, with vehicle access travelling east. The lot includes 24 regular parking spaces and 7 accessible parking spaces located beside the accessible entrance. Additional street parking is available nearby.