Mark Jales has organised funerals over many years for many religious denominations. The diverse nationalities and religious beliefs within the United Kingdom are enormous and therefore knowledge of the various rituals required for these beliefs is imperative and guaranteed. It is of the utmost importance to us to arrange and provide the correct service and the required respect every funeral should receive. We have extensive religious knowledge and over the years have produced many services, some of which we mention below:
 
• Christian
• Church of England
• Roman Catholic
• Baptist
• Methodist
• Pentecostal
• Church of God
• Congregational
• Evangelical
• Seventh Day
• Adventist
• Elim Church
• Greek Orthodox
• Salvation Army
• Quakers

When arranging Church of England funeral services or any of the listed religious ceremonies we always try to accommodate families wishes within reason and to conform with required regulations of the specific church, crematorium or cemetery. Usually these religions have a service in the church and then travel on to the crematorium or cemetery for burial or cremation. Sometimes family wish to dress the deceased themselves and our private facilities can accommodate this wish.
 
Hindu
 
The faith requires a religious washing and our premises provides the required facility, allowing family members to perform the burial rites. A Hindu lady is available to help female members of the family to dress the deceased if needed.

Overshoes are provided for family and friends if required. Pictures of holy men and favourite deities are provided if requested and appropriate religious music for the service at home or at the crematorium can obtained. The deceased can be taken home for prayers or may stay in the cleansed place of rest that we provide before the cremation takes place. We can supply a Hindu religious symbol and an oil lamp to be placed by the coffin.

 

Buddhist

Buddhists believe in Samsara ( the cycle of birth and death) until they reach salvation through Nirvana, but practises differ according to the particular culture. Buddhists believe that cremation sets the soul free to seek a new life.The deceased is placed with their head turned towards the West, and an oil lamp beside the coffin. Often a photograph is placed beside it. The Buddhist monk praises the deceased and explains the inevitability of death.The Pansakula (a blessing for the departed) is performed by close family members seated beside the coffin. During the chanting, they pour water from a small jug into a dish, to transfer merit to the departed. Its customary for a close relative or friend to say a few words at the crematorium . After the cremation the mourners are invited to eat. The next day , the ashes are collected and scattered over water or interred.
 
On the 6th day after the death, a Buddhist monk prays at the home of the deceased. The following day, alms are offered to the Buddhist monks to transfer more merit to the deceased. This is repeated after 3 months and one year. The mourning period is then officially over, although some men and women wear white clothes for many years, and women refrain from wearing jewelry.

Sikh

At the death bed relatives and friends read the Sukhmani Sahib, the Psalm of Peace, to console themselves and the dying person. If the death occurs in hospital, the deceased is taken home for viewing. Then to the Temple where a prayer is recited to seek salvation for the soul before proceeding to the crematorium for a brief speech about the deceased, and the Ardas formal prayer is offered. After the cremation, mourners return to their homes. The ashes are usually scattered on water. Organised grieving or lengthy mourning is discouraged. The body of the deceased is bathed and dressed in clean clothes. The hair is covered with a turban or traditional scarf and the five articles of faith worn by a Sikh in life, remain with the body. They are:
 
 1.Kachhera, an undergarment.
 2.Kanga, a wooden comb.
 3.Kara, a steel or iron bracelet.
 4.Kes, uncut hair (and beard).
 5.Kirpan, a short sword.
 
Islam
 
The faith requires the burial to take place within 24hours of death if possible. A religious washing takes place whereupon the entire body is wrapped in a funeral shroud made of clean, white cloth, tied at the head and the feet. This washing can take place within our premises or the person can be transferred to the local Mosque where prayers take place before proceeding to the funeral.
 
Jewish
Reform
Conservative
Orthodox Jew
 
The faith requires the burial to take place as soon as possible but not later than two days after death otherwise it is considered to be disrespectful. The soul has returned to God. The burial is to be a simple affair with no flowers and a simple wooden coffin and no preservation of the body so the soul ascends to Heaven. The family do not hold a wake as the body should be brought to rest as soon as possible.A 'Tahara' washing takes place which prepares the deceased for burial. A Rabbi would usually attend the funeral and he would usually perform a ritual whereby he tears the clothing of the seven mourners as a sign of mourning. This is referred to as tearing the Kria. Psalms, a eulogy and memorial prayer are recited during the ceremony preceding the burial.