Up & Up at the C of E

Church officials have voted in favour of increasing wedding fees by about 40% and the cost of a funeral service by more than half. The support for the price increases comes despite warnings from members of the General Synod that poorer couples could be priced out of a Church of England wedding.

The price hikes have been approved after there was a 4% rise in the number of weddings in the CoE in 2010.

The church will now charge £415 from January next year, including the cost of banns, up from the current £296.  Meanwhile the cost of a funeral service in church will also rise from £102 to £160, equal to a 57% rise.

The new fees include the costs of lighting and administration for the first time but do not take into account other charges such as heating, vergers and services such as organists and bell ringers.

TTel