Church Commissioners

In the House of Commons debate, the Church Commissioners were represented by Marsha De Cordova, the Second Church Estates Commissioner. Responding to a question from Jodie Gosling, the Labour MP for Nuneaton, Marsha De Cordova outlined the steps the Church is taking to help people contact and communicate with the leaders of their dioceses. She explained that all the contact details for the bishop's office, diocesan staff, and cathedral staff are available on the Church's website. Additionally, the contact details for local clergy can be found on the "A Church Near You" website. Marsha De Cordova welcomed Jodie Gosling to her new role, acknowledging that she is doing a brilliant job. Jodie Gosling then raised concerns from her constituents in Nuneaton about the availability of burial plots. In response, Marsha De Cordova discussed the recent consultation from the Law Commission on proposals to increase burial capacity in England. She explained that the Church of England had contributed to these proposals, which aim to address the complex questions around burial and cremation law. Marsha De Cordova acknowledged the growing need and pressure for burial space, as well as the challenges facing burial grounds and maintenance. The debate then touched on the practice of reusing grave spaces in churchyards, which is a long-standing and lawful practice in the Church of England, ensuring that existing remains are left undisturbed. However, Marsha De Cordova noted that some churchyards are declared full and are closed by law, making them unable to be reopened for new burials. Overall, the debate focused on the Church's efforts to facilitate communication between parishioners and diocesan leaders, as well as the challenges surrounding burial capacity and the Church's role in addressing this issue through the Law Commission's proposals.