The Church of England is taking steps to ban “ash cash” payments to clergy for taking funerals at churches and crematoria.
Instead, the money will go direct to dioceses. The move will stamp out the “crematoria cowboys”, clergy who supplement meagre or non-existent incomes by conducting dozens of crematorium funerals at £96 a time.
At its meeting next month in Westminster, the General Synod will debate switching the “incumbent’s fee” for pastoral services to a fee payable direct to the diocesan board of finance.
Later in the same report, it says,
Every person in England is legally entitled to a wedding and funeral in the parish in which they live.
I didn't know that. Did you? Not that I'd want to exercise that right.
Anyhow, to get back to these "crematoria cowboys": I did wonder how many of these freelance clergy declare all their income, either to the church or the Inland Revenue. A significant proportion don't, it appears. What the clients might ask is; do they get value for money, wherever it ends up?
2 comments:
Thank 'nogod' for this blog! We had a cremation service for dad in May and a Humanist speaker did a lovely job. I enjoyed sitting down talking to him about dad and he was sensitive and didn't use piffle and nonsense about the old tyrant! Think some of the attendees weren't too impressed. What is it about sticking to tradition even when it's silly. Like using euphemisms & cliches I suppose; safe, predictable and conformist.
Glad you got what you wanted.
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