A GRIEVING Forest family was upset by the reaction from two church leaders when they sought a funeral service and burial in Parkend.
Mrs Linda Clark of Lydbrook said the churches appeared less than compassionate over funeral requests about her late brother-in-law Wayne Jones, who lived at Primrose Hill, Lydney.
"You might think that the one place you would receive compassion at such a time as bereavement would be from the church," she said.
Her sister Gean Jones lost her husband in November last year and funeral arrangements were made with he Cooperative Funeral Service in Cinderford.
"She told them of her discussion with her husband prior to his death and of his wish to be buried at Parkend," said Mrs Clark.
"The funeral directors duly contacted the Canon at Parkend to be told that only parishioners could be buried there, and as they were residing in Lydney it was out of the question."
Mrs Clark said she understood his reasoning but suggested talking to him herself with her sister to see if there could be an exception.
However the funeral directors told them they had already asked Canon Ivor Davies if he would instead conduct a funeral service at the church, which would console her sister. Again they were told to make arrangements in Lydney.
Uncertain whether they would get a service at all the two sisters – both Roman Catholics unlike Wayne – asked the Catholic Church in Cinderford if they might give advice and perhaps help with service. But they were told as they didn't attend and Mr Jones was not a Catholic they could not help.
The sisters even contemplated a suggestion by the funeral directors that they might find someone to say a few words at the graveside, but eventually St Mary's in Lydney conducted a service. Mr Jones is now buried at Yew Tree Brake.
Canon Davies said he was sorry the family was upset. The rules laid down by the parochial church council were perfectly clear but it was a pity they had been disappointed.
And the Parish Priest of Cinderford said: "We are a Catholic Church and we conduct the Sacraments and funeral service for Catholic people."