Funerals, Thanksgiving and Memorial Services
Funerals, thanksgiving services and memorial services may take place in St Salvator’s and St Leonard’s Chapel by the permission of the Principal, according to these guidelines. Requests should be made through the Chaplaincy in the first instance.
Baptisms
General guidance
There are differing regulations concerning baptism laid down by various churches (see below) but St Salvator's and St Leonard's Chapels are in principle available for baptisms should there be requests from clergy outside the University but with a University connection.
Requests for Baptism Services and details on the latest hire charges should be submitted to the Chaplaincy.
Church of Scotland baptism
Neither St Salvator's nor St Leonard's Chapels are parishes of the Church of Scotland (the situation is a little different with the Episcopal Church). St Salvator's Chapel stands within the Parish of Hope Park and Martyrs and St Leonard's Chapel in the Parish of St Leonard's. In the Church of Scotland no minister can baptise in another's parish without the permission of that minister, unless one or other of the parents is a member of his/her congregation.
Baptism is, in the Church of Scotland unless the circumstances are unusual (illness etc), 'in the face of the congregation' and occurs during the normal service of worship of the congregation and parish where the parents are resident and/or members. Vows are taken by parent to bring their children up within the Church (understood in its widest sense) and a commitment is made by the congregation to help the parents fulfil their vows and support them in this task. It is a community act and not an isolated or a private service for the family. The present University Chaplain is a minister of the Church of Scotland and is under the discipline of the Church and subject to its regulations.
The Chaplain or his colleagues will be happy to advise on any aspect of baptism, or to explain further the purpose of baptism.
Funerals
Funerals, including thanksgiving services closely following the death, may take place in the university chapels for the following people:
- Current students
- Current members of staff if they have a strong Chapel connection or have made an exceptional contribution to the University or public life
- Regular Chapel-goers
- Members or former members of St Leonards School (in St Leonard’s Chapel)
Graduates and members of the public who do not belong to one or more of these categories would not ordinarily be considered for a chapel funeral.
Memorial Services
Memorial Services, typically three or four months following the death, may take place in the university chapels for the following people:
- Current students
- Current members of staff if they have a strong Chapel connection or have made an exceptional contribution to the University or public life
- Retired members of staff and graduates only if they have made an exceptional contribution to the University or public life
- Members of the public only if they have made an exceptional contribution to the University
Notes
- In all cases – funerals, thanksgiving services and memorial services – the content of the service will be determined by the Chaplain or a designated representative, in liaison with others concerned.
- Chaplains may be available to conduct (or assist in conducting) funerals and thanksgiving services for students, staff, current and retired members of staff and members of their families in other locations, but always mindful of local church circumstances.
- Permission for a funeral, thanksgiving or memorial service will not ordinarily be considered in advance of the death of the person concerned.
- Permission will not ordinarily be granted for a memorial service at or about the same time when a funeral of a member of the University is taking place elsewhere.
- Requests for funerals, thanksgiving and memorial services, which do not clearly fall within the guidelines above, may be granted at the discretion of the Principal, in consultation with the Chaplain.