The Willesden Area Advisory Group for Racial Concerns
(WAAGRC)
Cross-Cultural Ministry
OCCASIONAL OFFICES AMIDST CULTURAL DIVERSITY
This paper is intended to supplement the Southwark Diocese booklet on ‘Baptisms, Wedding and
Funerals’. (You can get this booklet from: tony.haynes@southwark.anglican.org) In particular it
recognises that because our multi-ethnic society is very fluid, cross-cultural ministry requires a
‘diagnostic’ rather than a ‘prescriptive’ approach. Simply prescribing what ministers should do fails to
recognise that within any broad national culture there is both considerable variation and constant
change.
It is much more helpful therefore to equip ministers to ‘diagnose’, to ask the sort of questions that might
help them understand the particular and unique situation before them.
Age, spirituality, social
background and adaptation to English norms will also lead to people from the same broad background
having quite different expectations of ministers.
Principles
It is important on the one hand to affirm positively that Christianity is not bound to any culture; on the
other hand to be aware of syncretism, such as placing other spiritual ‘powers’ alongside Jesus, including
‘the living dead’.
It may be difficult for English clergy to feel comfortable forming judgements on these issues; so it is
helpful to be able to discuss them with Christians who come from the same background, bearing in mind
that they may be more or less rigorous about their indigenous traditions.
It is also valuable to bear in mind our response to English folk religion in the occasional offices; what is
our attitude to say, playing Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ at a funeral? Or, to the superstitious use of rings
or crosses? Or to god-parents who show little awareness about the spiritual nature of their godchildren? Whether we are rigorous or relaxed on these issues, we should aim for a consistent attitude to
the folk religion of other cultures.
Questions to bear in mind
It is important to ask people whether there is any particular tradition they want to observe, and
encourage freedom to response.
The following are possible areas to ask about:

Significance of a particular number of days after a birth or death and any related ceremony;

Significant role for particular family members and relatives;

Are there multiple ceremonies for the event, for example several wedding celebrations?

Are any particular rituals or symbols to be used – for example the giving of thalis in Indian or Sri
Lankan weddings (and what is their significance)?
 Will any other groups be involved (for example friendly societies or lodge from the Caribbean or
Africa) and what do they stand for?
 Is there any special role for music?
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AFRICAN MARRIAGE SERVICES
The general principles of marriage apply to most African marriages. However, one has to be
cautious in the marriage preparation processes. This is because before a marriage in church or in the
Registry:

A customary marriage would have taken place in most cases.

This customary marriage is legal and valid in their home countries (in most cases, the Home
Office will accept the marriage as legal on presentation of an affidavit).
People who re-marry after customary rites would do so for various reasons including:

Obtaining certification of marriage for Home Office purposes (although since 1983 the
Marriage Registry in Ghana has given certification without further marriage rites once the
customary rite is concluded).

Celebrating their marriage with a big party, as they were not, in the position, to do so at the
customary marriage.

Or, a lack of their own understanding, of marriage by customary rites.
If in doubt, contact your surrogate or the Diocesan Office for advice.
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NAMING CEREMONY
This rite may be performed on the eighth day after birth and definitely before baptism of the child.
A child may be informally named until the rite is performed. There may be two parts to the ceremony;
Traditional and Christian

You need to know the names and their significance

A child may be given both Christian and Traditional family names
Traditional:

There may be symbolic tasting of salt, honey, pepper, gin and water; signifying different
circumstances of life, i.e. pepper for suffering, honey for joy. A member of the family will carry
this out.

There might be the pouring of libation (the traditional way of calling upon God and family
ancestors to protect the child).
Christian:

This involves a reading from the Bible, prayers for the child and parents, singing choruses and
hymns.

This is followed by presentation of gifts.
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GHANAIAN FUNERALS
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE FAMILY

Will prayers be said soon after death?

Will there be a short service at home a week, on the day of death?

Who are the chief-mourners?

If the deceased has a partner, observe partner’s involvement with the arrangements and beware
of how traditional reasons may be used to exclude him/her?

Will the body be taken to Ghana?

If so, will they require a memorial service? (this may be up to three hours long with lots of
singing)

Will there be a wake-keeping before funeral (either at home or in Church)?

Will the body be viewed during the service?

How many tributes (children, partners, relatives, friends)?

Do they want to sing traditional choruses and who will lead the singing

Is it going to be a burial? (if burial it would be appreciated if the priest wait as the grave is filled)
A libation may be offered to the Almighty God, mother earth and the ancestors. You should not worry
too much about it.
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NIGERIA
The following is merely given as a guide, but respect should be given to any other local custom that
arises
WEDDINGS



Clergy should ask whether arrangements are being made for music by the family during the
service or would they want the service of the Church Organist. If the former is the case, ensure
proper co-ordination and integration of the music into the service.
Offer to have a Bible Study Session before the wedding with the prospective husband and wife,
mainly focusing on what Holy Scripture says about the duty of husbands towards their wives and
wives towards their husbands.
Clergy should ask the prospective husband and wife for their preferred scripture lesson on which
to base the sermon.
FUNERALS

When asked for, the Clergy should be willing to take a short service at the home of the deceased
on the day of burial just before the Church service. If that is the case the service at the grave-side
should be shortened.

Clergy should ask if they have other Church Ministers that they want to participate in the service.
If that’s the case, other Ministers are usually no more than two, and their roles are usually well
defined.

Suggest appropriate lessons if asked and accept the choice of lessons from the Bible that is
chosen to be read during the service

Clergy should ask for the preferred Hymns that they would like to use during all the services

Clergy should ask if they want the deceased to be viewed or not.
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INDIAN WEDDINGS
Questions to ask the couple






Is the wedding arranged?
If it is arranged, find out about the formal process/regional tradition (e.g. meeting groom’s
family; the formal engagement)
Find out which pre-wedding ceremonies you are needed at (use discretion)
Wedding day; find out what ceremonies take place before the actual marriage
When are you needed?
In the service, find out if there is anything the family want to add (use discretion)
INDIAN FUNERALS

When are you needed in the house?

Where will the body be beforehand?

Will it be open coffin?

What prayers do you need to say before the funeral? When?

Funeral day; what is expected of you before the funeral (at the house)?

What rites take place in the days after the funeral? Are you needed?
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PAKISTIANI FUNERAL

The news of the death will be passed on to the Pakistani leader.

People will begin to visit the family. Prayers will be offered at every gathering by visitors

Food will be prepared and sent by the family and friends on a daily basis for family and the
visitors.

A visit from a priest is expected soon after the death to make arrangements for the service
whether here or if the body is to be sent abroad.

The body is brought home for a short service of thanksgiving before the funeral service.

It is a matter of individual choice to have the coffin open during the service or for final respects.

It is honourable for the family to carry the coffin in and out of the church and to the graveyard.

Filling of the grave can be left for the carelabour?

A memorial can be arranged with the family.
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JAMAICAN FUNERALS
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE FAMILY
When a person dies, relatives and friends visit the family home (usually every day/night) until after the
funeral. Food and drinks are served (people also donate food and drinks to the family).

On the ninth night after death there is usually a service kept in the house of the person who has
died. This consists of hymns, Bible readings, and prayers. Friends and family will say a few
words about the person who has died. (most friends and family will come to this)

Would they like the Priest to attend and be involved in this service?

Is the body to be returned to Jamaica?

If so, will they require a memorial service?

Will the coffin be kept open during the service in church?

Will the body be viewed at the end of the service?

Are they expecting family members from abroad? If so when are they arriving?

How many people are going to do a eulogy/tributes?

Are they going to provide hymns for singing at the grave side?

The family usually expect the priest to wait until the grave is filled and then say the final prayer.
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GROUP MEMBERS
Revd Francis Adu-Boachie, St John’s Wembley
020 8902 0273: francis@adu-boachie.freeserve.co.uk
Revd. Preb. John Root, St James Alperton
020 8902 1729: stjames.john@gmail.com
Enid Cork, St Michael’s, Tokyngton
020 8537 2017: enid@cork.freeserve.co.uk
Revd. Arani Sen, Emmanuel, Southall
020 8843 9556: rev.sen@virgin.net
Mavis Hazell, St Andrew, Sudbury
020 8904 2174: mavehazell@waitrose.com.
Isaac Adenigbagbe, St Michael’s Stonebridge
020 8965 0780: adewale.adenigbagbe@mail.com
Jessie Tettey, Christ The Redeemer, Southall
020 8845 6164:
Revd. Hyacinth Young, Church of The Annunciation, Wembley
020 8908 2252: hyacinth512@aol.com
Revd. Mina Smallman, St Paul’s, South Harrow
020 8864 8897: minaexp@hotmail.Com
Revd. Stephen Dando, St Lawrence, Eastcote
020 8866 1263: dandostephen@hotmail.com
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