Colchester vicar refuses to raise the cost of weddings and funerals (From Gazette)

Colchester vicar refuses to raise the cost of weddings and funerals

6:00pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News

A VICAR will defy the Church of England and freeze funeral and wedding costs.

The Church of England Synod has voted to increase church funeral costs by about 50 per cent and weddings by about 40 per cent.

Father Richard Tillbrook, of St Barnabas Church, in Abbot’s Road, Colchester, said the move would turn people away from the church.

He will stick to charging £262 for a wedding and £105 for a funeral while the economic downturn continues, instead of increasing the fees to more than £400 and £160 respectively.

Father Richard said: “In this economic climate in poor parishes, this is a huge increase, which is not acceptable.

“We work very hard to encourage people to church and to get married in church and I worry this will turn people away. I have not seen anything happen or any reason to justify the increase.”

He rejected suggestions of the church profiteering and accepted some fees were appropriate.

But he said the church should be doing all it could to help people during the tough financial times and the increase sent out the wrong message.

His decision not to raise fees has been applauded by Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell, who promised to raise the matter in Parliament.

Sir Bob said: “I accept the cost of living is going up, but it is a bit much when the cost of dying goes up as well.

“Church costs have to be covered, but when it comes to weddings and funerals the church should be mindful of the financial implications.

“Father Richard Tillbrook is to be congratulated on his stance for Old Heath and I applaud him.

“If Father Richard can do it, I would hope others may be able to follow his example.”

Longer-serving vicars, such as Father Richard, are free to choose their own rates, with guidance offered by the diocese.

Newer vicars are bound by the new rates.