You can begin to prepare for a good death when you are fit and healthy. From making a Will to planning your funeral, this involves thinking about your legacy and how you would like to be remembered. Here we offer support with leaving a legacy to your parish or to a charity, as well as resources to help plan your Funeral Mass and for organ donation.
As Catholics we have much to be grateful for, not least for the faith that has sustained us throughout our lives and for the community that is our local parish.
It is in the local parish that our faith has developed and been nurtured, where we have received teaching, inspiration and support.
Many of us have been encouraged in our faith by those around us and especially by our priests.
The local parish is a microcosm of the worldwide Church, where Catholics come together to serve God and others. For many of us, it is what helps to sustain our faith in both good and challenging times.
We have much to thank our local parishes for.
Our parish churches are the interface between the Church and the world and act as the hands and voice of Christ, not only for us as parishioners, but for the communities they serve. They are the focal point for prayer, teaching, evangelisation and a wide range of social action with those who are marginalised. But all this takes significant resources.
The Church encourages us to be mindful of God’s many blessings and of His provision for us. In so doing, our natural response is to want to give back, recognising that all good things come from God.
Leaving a gift in our will is the culmination of a life-time of faith, a sign of gratitude for all we have enjoyed. Once we have provided for the needs of our family, this is a simple step we can all take.
By remembering our parish in our Will, we can support the vital work of priests and people in the building up of God’s Church, in looking after our churches and in reaching out to those in need in our local communities. All of this is made possible as we give back to God in response to His care of us.
You may also find it helpful to visit The Art of Dying Well, rethinking the art of accompaniment at the end of life. The website includes public engagement, policy and research on death, dying and bereavement.
You can download leaflets for each topic below and parishes will be able to order in copies too. View and download Legacy leaflets
Set out your wishes for your Funeral Mass to share with family, friends or your parish. Read more
What is the Organ Donation Act 2019 and how can I register my wishes? Read more
Sample wording for your will if you would like to leave a gift to your local parish church or charity. Read more
Stories of legacies made to parishes, schools and charities in the Archdiocese Read more