Training in Funerals

Subtitled, ‘A response to the challenge of the Third Declaratory Article’, Rev Nigel Robb reviews the situation with respect to contemporary funerals and the need to provide more support for ministers. Referring back to earlier centuries, he outlines the steps taken to set up, for the presbytery of Glasgow, a pilot course for elders and others in the conduct of funerals. He describes how the course evolved and what matters were covered in each of the two sessions, with a third session which took the form of a visit to a crematorium. Eulogies, members of families taking part, silence, and music are all explored.