Letter: Thanks for a Christian service

Letter: Thanks for a Christian service

Sir: Unsatisfactory "religious" funerals undoubtedly occur, but I question whether they are as common as Nigel Collins of the British Humanist Association asserts (Letters, 28 July).

As far as I'm concerned it's standard practice to spend time with the family both before and after the funeral, and to personalise the service as much as possible.

I'm sure I'm not the only minister who regularly receives letters of thanks for the way a funeral was handled. Many of them come from non-churchgoers who nevertheless appreciate and are moved by the contribution of a Christian perspective. Humanists naturally have their own reasons for putting out a message that religious services are no good. It's not true.

The Rev SIMON J REED

London W5