Churchyard Management – a workshop for clergy

Churchyards can be a place for pastoral engagement and a tool for mission. However, they may also be the context of difficult pastoral conversations, as clergy engage with grieving and sometimes troubled families about rules and regulations affecting the burial and commemoration of their loved ones.

These sessions are primarily aimed at Clergy working in a parish context, but if space allows it may be possible for Churchwardens and Readers to book nearer the time.

In this workshop led by the Archdeacons, the Diocesan Registrar and Registry Clerk, and the DAC team, there will be an introduction to the updated (2020) Churchyard Regulations, the associated forms and the Churchyards Handbook – Guide for Families (2021).

There will be in-depth explanation of many aspects of managing churchyards, burials and memorials, focusing on the pastoral context and practical application of the Churchyard Regulations.

This workshop is scheduled for Tuesday 21 March and will be attended by Archdeacon Janet Mackenzie and Jon Baldwin, Deputy Registrar. Another workshop is taking place on Wednesday 22 March at a different venue which will be attended by Archdeacon Dave Middlebrook and Anne-Marie Organ, Registry Clerk. This is to allow as many clergy as possible to attend. The workshop is not to be missed, but if you can’t make either date, resources will be made available afterwards in the diocesan digital Resource Centre.