When someone dies
Death, either sudden and unexpected, after an illness, or at the end of a long life, will cause the family and friends of the deceased to experience grief and sadness, perhaps anger and doubt, or confusion and a sense of helplessness. All these emotions are natural and to be expected at such a difficult and painful time.
At S. Helen’s, our priests and people pray for the sick, the dying, the deceased and the bereaved every single day. If someone close to you is dying or has died and you would like us to pray for them, for you and for your family, or you would like someone to talk to or visit you, please do contact us.
As Christians we believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new and potentially greater life in God’s nearer presence. To be united with God is our prayer for every soul.
Christianity believes that: ‘Death is the end of our earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers us so as to work out our earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide our ultimate destiny. When ‘the single course of our earthly life’ is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: ‘It is appointed for humans to die once.’ There is no ‘reincarnation’ after death.
However, the Church teaches us that: ‘Death is transformed by Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, also himself suffered the death that is part of the human condition. Yet, despite his anguish as he faced death, he accepted it in an act of complete and free submission to his Father's will. The obedience of Jesus has transformed the curse of death into a blessing’.
We pray: ‘Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.’
What should I do when someone dies?
Even though it can be an extremely difficult time for you when a relative or someone you care for dies, there is a number of things you have to do. This Government website will take you through everything. https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death
When you are ready to arrange a funeral, and you would like to hold the service at S. Helen’s Church, do contact one of our priests to make the arrangements. Your funeral director will also be able to advise you.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
At S. Helen’s, our priests and people pray for the sick, the dying, the deceased and the bereaved every single day. If someone close to you is dying or has died and you would like us to pray for them, for you and for your family, or you would like someone to talk to or visit you, please do contact us.
As Christians we believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new and potentially greater life in God’s nearer presence. To be united with God is our prayer for every soul.
Christianity believes that: ‘Death is the end of our earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers us so as to work out our earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide our ultimate destiny. When ‘the single course of our earthly life’ is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: ‘It is appointed for humans to die once.’ There is no ‘reincarnation’ after death.
However, the Church teaches us that: ‘Death is transformed by Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, also himself suffered the death that is part of the human condition. Yet, despite his anguish as he faced death, he accepted it in an act of complete and free submission to his Father's will. The obedience of Jesus has transformed the curse of death into a blessing’.
We pray: ‘Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.’
What should I do when someone dies?
Even though it can be an extremely difficult time for you when a relative or someone you care for dies, there is a number of things you have to do. This Government website will take you through everything. https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death
When you are ready to arrange a funeral, and you would like to hold the service at S. Helen’s Church, do contact one of our priests to make the arrangements. Your funeral director will also be able to advise you.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
