PERSONALISED funerals prompted by the Westminster Abbey service for Diana, Princess of Wales could be 'tested' at churches across East Lancashire.

The Bishop of Blackburn today called for the Church of England in the county to pioneer 'creative guidelines' for families wishing to have non-standard funerals.

He said the Blackburn Diocese would see an increasing demand for unconventional services following the Abbey ceremony, which featured a live performance by pop singer Elton John.

In recent months churches across the county have included pop songs, readings and poems in funeral services at the request of grieving relatives.

The Rt Rev Alan Chesters added: "The Abbey service made compromises - the words of scripture in the burial services and Elton John; the prayers of the faithful and the angry young Earl. "I believe there is a need - and not one easily met, given the role of undertakers in making the arrangements - for clergy to take longer with families, especially non-church families in the planning of a funeral.

"It is an opportunity to speak of the Christian faith. We need to listen to the thoughts and feelings the bereaved wish to express and to work through with them what is appropriate and what is not."

Speaking at the Diocesan Synod meeting at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, the bishop said the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, had raised several questions which 'creative guidelines' might solve.

He added: "Can the sacred and the secular be mixed? Is it right to have a tribute from someone who knows the deceased, as well as an address which proclaims the resurrection and calls for penitence?

"I hope every priest, every parochial church council is working away at these issues: praying, pondering and planning as how best we move on from a nation in grief at the loss of a young life, who did so much good yet who was so vulnerable, to, as some claim in prophecy, a nation restored to faith in the living God whose love transforms even death into life."

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