FEES DIOCESAN SYSTEMS, GUIDANCE, FEE TABLE AND SPECIMEN RETURN FORMS

Transcription

1 FEES DIOCESAN SYSTEMS, GUIDANCE, FEE TABLE AND SPECIMEN RETURN FORMS manchester.anglican.org

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3 Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Fees Order Headline Issues from National Guidance The Components of Church of England Fees 3.2. PCC Fees for Services at Public Cemeteries or Crematoria 3.3. The PCC as agent for others ( extras ) 3.4. Waiving Fees 3.5. Ministers not in receipt of a stipend 3.6. Continuing Ministerial Development 3.7. Availability of Ministers 3.8. Disability Issues 3.9. Administration of Fees 4. The Diocesan System for Collecting DBF Fees APPENDICES Appendix 1. A Guide to Church of England Parochial Fees 11 Appendix 2. The Fees Table for Appendix 3. Template form for Monthly Parochial Returns 37 Appendix 4. Template form for Retired Stipendiary Clergy Returns 40 Appendix 5. Template forms for Fee Claims Form 43 2

4 1. Introduction Legislation in 2011 introduced changes to both the philosophy and practice of the system of fees in the Church of England. A Fees Review Group, chaired by the Bishop of Rochester, suggested changes which were implemented by an amendment, The Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011, to the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure The overall aim is that the fees charged by the Church are justifiable, transparent and as inclusive as possible, while also providing a reasonable contribution to parishes and dioceses for the provision of the ministries concerned. From 1 January, 2013, under the amended measure, there was no longer an incumbent s fee. Instead they legally, became the property of either the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) or of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and incumbents no longer assigned his/her fees. There are some very limited exceptions where an incumbent could retain the DBF portion of the fee (though not the PCC portion) For this situation to apply, the incumbent of a benefice must have continued in the post he/she held on 1 July 2011, had not already assigned fees to the DBF and that he/she had given written notice the bishop of an intention to retain the DBF portion of the fee. This does not apply in the vast majority of situations in the Diocese. For stipendiary ministers, matters relating to fees and associated ministry will be coverable under the Statement of Particulars (SoP). SoPs for all clergy issued in respect of any period of service which began on or after 1st January 2013 use the following wording in the section on parochial fees: You are not entitled to receive parochial fees Incumbents who had previously assigned their fees to the DBF may not have needed to have their SoPs amended, depending on how their statements already took account of the fact that they had assigned their fees. However, incumbents who had not previously assigned their fees are no longer entitled to receive parochial fees (unless they are covered by the exception mentioned above) and their statements of particulars need to contain the wording identified above. The headline issues highlighted in Section 3 below are based on the guidance issued to Dioceses. Appendix 1. A Guide to Church of England Parochial Fees contains more detailed information on the fees system from a PCC perspective. 3

5 2. Fees Order 2014 Archbishops Council prepares Fees Orders for approval by the Synod and Parliament. The Parochial Fees Order prescribes when a fee is payable. Until 2012, these were made on an annual basis. However, under the Measure, such an Order may now run for up to 5 years with annual increases built in. The advantage of this is that the level of fees will, therefore, be known several years in advance. However, in order to allow for a review of the new arrangements the first Fees Order in the new system ran for 2 years (2013 and 2014). A new Order was approved in 2014 for the years The approved Table of Fees for 2017 is attached as Appendix Headline Issues from National Guidance 3.1 The Components of Church of England Fees The splitting of the fee into a DBF and a PCC component is designed to cover the different responsibilities in the provision and administration of the services attracting a fee: DBF portion of the overall fee reflects the provision of authorised ministry (the costs of which are usually borne by a DBF) a) The DBF fee for occasional offices is intended to cover the full cost of providing authorised ministry they are not a fee for the services of a particular minister. It is legally payable to the DBF regardless of who the actual minister is and whether or not they receive a stipend b) The DBF fees for monuments are based on an assumption about the time it takes an incumbent to carry out the legal duty of checking that the monument and / or inscription conforms to the appropriate regulations. PCC portion relates to church buildings and local administration and ministry costs. It is made up from a) A location/building element based on repair/maintenance costs and the number of hours in use b) An element for administrative staffing based on a secretarial rate of pay c) Fees for burials and monuments include an element to provide for long-term maintenance of the churchyard d) Fees for banns, searches and certificates have now been made payable PCC 4

6 3.2 PCC Fees for Services at Public Cemeteries or Crematoria Where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service which does not take place in a church or churchyard, the amended 1986 Measure identifies which PCC should receive the fee: a) If the deceased was entered on the electoral roll of a parish then the PCC of this Parish receives the fee. If the deceased was entered on the electoral roll of more than one parish, then fee is to be shared equally between the PCCs of those parishes b) If the deceased was not entered on any electoral roll, then the PCC of the parish where the deceased had his or her usual place of residence receives the fee c) In any other case, the PCC of the parish where the service or other event to which the fee relates takes place should receive the fee 3.3 The PCC as agent for others ( extras ) Under the legal provisions, extras can only be charged for items over which those receiving the ministry have a genuine choice. Here the PCC can be acting as a collecting agent and passing payments on to others. Extras can be offered to and accepted by those paying the fee but they cannot be imposed by the incumbent or PCC. Extras include: the cost of heating the building (but not lighting) the remuneration of a verger (where a paid verger is deployed) music flowers bell-ringing etc The levels for these extra charges do not lie within the remit of the Archbishops Council or the DBF, but the national guidance offers the following advice: a) Clear information about the level of any charges and what they cover, should be provided. Best practice is to have an itemised breakdown, which can be agreed before the service with those who have requested it, and which (in the case of funerals) can be forwarded to the funeral director b) The decisions on whether or not to have heating, and how much would be charged, if supplied, should be among the issues raised with the person or persons paying for the service in discussions before the service takes place c) Similarly with vergers, the deployment of the verger and how much any charge would be should be discussed in advance with those paying for the service It would be inappropriate for the PCC to supply extras without specific consent and then present the person paying for the service with an unexpected, extra charge. A PCC which did so would have difficulty in showing that it was legally entitled to claim the sums involved. 5

7 In its role as agent, the PCC should seek to adopt financial best practice: proper records should be kept for audit and other purposes, cash payments should be avoided, the PCC should also make clear that the PCC is not responsible for declaring payments to HMRC for tax purposes. Further advice on Extras, including the availability of further guidance from the Royal School of Church Music, Incorporated Society of Musicians, Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and others is contained in A Guide to Church of England Parochial Fees, From January 2015 which is included at Appendix Waiving Fees The amended measure gives to the incumbent or priest-in-charge of the benefice concerned (or with the area dean in a vacancy) the right to waive the DBF portion without needing to refer the decision to the bishop, archdeacon, or any other diocesan official. However, the power to waive should only be exercised in a particular case. The incumbent/priest cannot waive fees generally. He/she must be able to point to something about the particular case to justify waiving the fee. A record of waivers and why they were granted should be kept and provided for audit purposes. The PCC portion of the fee can also be waived. This can only be done after consultation with the churchwardens. The Archbishops Council s advice is that the power to waive fees should only be exercised in cases of clear financial hardship. No parochial fees are payable in relation to the funeral, burial or cremation of a person who has not reached the age of Ministers not in receipt of a stipend As its portion of the fee is legally owned by the DBF it is for each DBF to decide whether payments might be made to those ministers who are not in receipt of a stipend. It is common practice in dioceses (as it is in Manchester) to make such payments to retired stipendiary clergy who take services. It is possible however, for a diocese to make such payments to other ministers who are not in receipt of a stipend. Dioceses can also decide to make payments to a chaplain (where the chaplain is a clerk in holy orders or a licensed deaconess, reader or lay worker) who officiates at a service for which fees are payable. Manchester Diocesan Synod debated this issue and resolved that all ministers not in receipt of a full stipend or in full-time employment should receive two thirds of the DBF portion of the fee for weddings and funerals, undertaken at the request of the incumbent and provided they undertake the associated pastoral visiting and preparation. In all cases, ministers receiving such payments are responsible for declaring this income to HMRC for tax purposes. As with stipendiary ministers, matters relating to fees and associated ministry for other licensed ministers will be coverable under a Statement of Particulars or a Working/Ministry 6

8 Agreement. Ministers with Permission to Officiate (PTO) have no such document and guidance strongly recommends that dioceses put in place a Ministry Agreement to sit alongside a PTO. This could cover (amongst other issues): Whether payment for pastoral services may be claimed; The processes for claiming such payment the importance of HMRC declaration; A requirement to liaise with the incumbent or priest-in-charge of the benefice in question when exercising a ministry; Access to CMD relevant to the ministry being exercised 3.6 Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) The fundamental importance of offering an excellent ministry at and around pastoral services was recognised by the Fees Review Group. In order to help achieve this aspiration, it is recommended that training to support licensed ministers (including the retired) in their exercise of the pastoral offices should be a regular part of diocesan provision. The Diocese has begun to respond to this recommendation and formation days in 2013 will deal with this fundamental element of ministry. 3.7 Availability of Ministers The offering of a universal ministry for pastoral services depends on the Church of England being able to make available ministers as required. Funeral directors in particular have made representations at national and local level about the difficulties they experience in contacting ministers when families require an immediate response about arrangements. It is in the Church s interests to maintain good relationships with funeral directors and to seek to respond to their concerns; it is, therefore, recommended that the diocese make every effort to ensure the availability of ministers. The following suggestions are offered: The Diocese will support the provision at deanery or team level simple systems whereby the availability of a minister (even if at first unnamed) is guaranteed to a funeral director. Many fruitful and positive relationships currently exist between the local church and funeral directors. The Diocese has begun the process of widening that relationship. We will build on these foundations to maintain good and regular contact. 3.8 Disability Issues Quite apart from any legal requirements relating to disability under the Equality Act 2010, our commitment to the universal offer of pastoral ministry requires us to provide as fully as possible for family members and others who have particular needs. The Diocese will make information available to ministers about local sources of advice, provision of signing services etc. The DBF will bear any additional costs as this is part of providing the ministry for which the DBF s Ministry Fee is intended. 7

9 3.9 Administration of Fees National guidance issued to dioceses recognises that the new systems may impact on diocesan administration. It suggests therefore, that the DBF may wish to use some of its fee income to administration. It also recognises however, system relating to assignment of fees will disappear and that should release administrative time Guidance has given some flexibility to dioceses in deciding the administrative processes necessary to the new system. As part of this, each Diocese is required to decide how to manage the flow of monies between the PCCs, DBF and others. However, the national guidance does strongly suggest the following: Current suggested practice should continue, that incumbents should not handle fees and that PCC should be the local agent for the DBF portion of the fee The use of cash should be strongly discouraged Whatever the process adopted, the keeping of proper records for audit purposes remains vital 4. Diocesan System for the Collection of DBF Fees Following consultations with some local clergy and funeral directors, a model for the operation of the fees system in the Diocese was devised for 2013 which was very similar to that previously in operation for the assignment process. The model operating in 2017 is largely unchanged. The advantages of retaining a system similar to that which had operated before was that it had minimal impact on clergy and existing diocesan administrative procedures. There will continue to be local collection of fees as centralised invoicing was not a popular option with local clergy or funeral directors. The incumbent or priest in charge should make a monthly parochial return, on a template form. A specimen form is attached at Appendix 3. This is designed to identify what fee attracting services have been carried out, and how much should be collected by the PCC and the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) as their portion of the fee. The forms have been designed to allow the tracking of both the DBF and PCC portions of the fee and can be used by the PCC to record all services if it wishes. The PCC can produce two copies of the form and simply circle the relevant box at the bottom of the first page to indicate whether it is the form to be retained or returned to the DBF. The form also includes a section to identify those services which have been conducted by a retired stipendiary clergy person. This is to ensure that the minister is reimbursed for this service in line with diocesan policy. During an interregnum, churchwardens as the sequestrators should make the monthly parochial return (Area Deans, who are also sequestrators during an interregnum, should ensure that this is being done correctly). This return will be on a similar but differently coloured form. 8

10 Church Services (all Occasional Offices involving all ministers) Where a service takes place in the local Church, irrespective of the minster officiating: Fees should be paid in advance of or on the day of the service Cheques should be made payable to the PCC Payment should be handed over to the PCC Treasurer Services should be entered on the monthly return form The DBF portion of the fee should then be sent to Church House along with the monthly return form Crematorium and Graveside Funerals involving local stipendiary clergy Fees to be collected on the day Cheques should be made payable to the PCC Payment should be handed over to the PCC Treasurer Services should be entered on the monthly return form The DBF portion of the fee should then be sent to Church House along with the monthly return form Crematorium and Graveside Funerals involving retired stipendiary clergy A form for use by retired stipendiary clergy to record funerals conducted at crematoria and gravesides is also attached at Appendix 4. This recognises that there may be exceptional occasions where such funerals are organised without the knowledge and consent of the deceased s incumbent. It is expected however, that the deceased s incumbent will be informed as soon as possible that such a funeral has taken place. Fees to be collected on the day Cheques should be made payable to the DBF Services should be entered on the return form for retired clergy The DBF portion of the fee should then be sent to Church House along with the monthly return form The DBF which will then reimburse both retired stipendiary clergy person and the relevant PCC. The fees for such funerals remain the property of the DBF or the PCC. Every such funeral therefore will need to be associated with a parish, so that the appropriate PCC receives their part of the fee (this is a statutory requirement). The payment made to retired stipendiary clergy is technically coming from the DBF portion of the fee. It is therefore logical that the DBF should first receive the monies and then pay the money out. This also helps preserve the audit trail. As noted above in 3.5 Ministers not in receipt of a stipend, Diocesan Synod has resolved to pay two thirds of the DBF portion of the fee to ministers not in receipt of a stipend or in full time employment who conduct weddings or funerals at the request of the incumbent and carry out the associated pastoral visiting. Specimen claim forms are attached at Appendix 5. 9

11 Expenses The DBF cannot be involved in collecting, reimbursing or administering any non-statutory payments. The payment of expenses for travelling to and from funerals will continue to be arranged and paid locally by agreement between the minister and the funeral director. 10

12 Appendix 1 A Guide to A GUIDE TO Church of England Parochial Fees CHURCH OF ENGLAND PAROCHIAL FEES 11

13 Contents Page Foreword 14 Definition of terms in relation to parochial fees 16 General 17 DBF Fees 17 The parochial church council fees 18 Fees for services at cathedral which are parish churches 19 Waiving parochial fees 19 Costs and expenses included in the parochial fees 20 When fees are due 20 Extras and special services 21 Extras 21 Special Services 22 Baptisms 23 Marriages 23 Fees where a chapel is licensed under Marriage Act 1949 Fees where there is a parish of worship 23 Fee for a marriage certificate 23 Itemised form for wedding fees 24 Funerals 24 The concept of a uniform fee for funeral services 24 Stillbirths and deaths of persons who die within sixteen years after birth 24 Funerals in cemeteries and crematoria 24 PCC fee for funeral at a crematorium or public burial authority cemetery 24 Payment of funerals fees and expenses 25 Privately owned cemeteries and crematoria 25 Clergy travel expenses to and from funerals 25 Burial etc 26 12

14 Burials and other lawful disposal of cremated remains definition 26 Burial on a separate occasion in cemetery 26 Circumstances where faculties are required 26 Committals at crematoria and cemeteries 27 Grave-digging 27 Grave spaces and vaults reservation of 27 Who has the right of burial in the churchyard 27 Monuments 28 Monuments, faculties for, etc 28 Monuments for children (persons under the age of 16 years) 28 Vaults 28 Searches 29 Deposited registers 29 Statutory searches 29 Statutory charges 29 Non-Statutory charges 29 Custody of records 30 Special arrangements for bona fide research work 30 Legislation cited in this Guide 30 Annex: extract from schedule A1 to the 1986 Parochial Fees Measure as amended 31 13

15 Foreword This Guide to parochial fees is published for the information of parochial clergy and parochial church councils. It replaces the edition produced in 2012 for fees from 1 January Changes in this edition reflect changes to fees that were made by the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014, made under the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986 as amended by the Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure The 2014 order came into effect from 1 January We have attempted to make the notes reasonably full and helpful but they are intended only as a general guide and may not cover every aspect of the law and practice relating to the particular matters discussed. In the first instance, it may be appropriate to seek the advice of the Diocesan Registrar, who will be able to advise on arrangements specific to each diocese. The staff of the National Church Institutions Human Resources Department are always willing to try to answer specific questions. As a general rule it is not intended that the Guide will be amended except when there is a change in parochial fees legislation. From the coming into effect of the Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011 this can happen not only when a change to the law is made by Measure, but also when a Scheduled Matters Amending Order (which may also be a Parochial Fees Order) is passed, as a Scheduled Matters Amending Order alters schedule A1 to the 1986 Measure (as amended). The latest Order to make such changes was the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order The 1986 Measure has also been amended by the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure Despite this, it can happen that minor changes are made to the Guide when there has not been a change to the legislation. This would happen only when it is decided that what is in the Guide is incomplete or misleadingly worded. When such a change is made, a note of the date of the change will appear under the date of initial publication, on the front cover of the Guide as it appears on the website. This arrangement replaces the system of a series of printed erratum slips and updates (in the form of general letters) which were issued for previous printed editions of the Guide. Questions about the fees set by the Secretary of State (see paragraphs 29, 32 and 64) should be addressed to the Registrar General at the General Register Office, Smedley Hydro, Trafalgar Road, Birkdale, SOUTHPORT, PR8 2HH, who can also supply details of such fees. The Registrar General issues a booklet entitled "Guidebook for the Clergy" available from is designed to be read in conjunction with the Faculty Office booklet Anglican marriage in England and Wales. A guide to the law for clergy available from the Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3JT. 14

16 The separate document Frequently Asked Questions (also available from gives further information about specific issues The FAQs are updated as and when questions are asked about matters which have not otherwise been raised, and seem to be of general interest, and also repeats some information which is in the Guide, about which questions are frequently asked. Church House, London, SW1P 3AZ January

17 Definitions of terms used in relation to parochial fees Burial: includes burial in a vault or brick grave and the interment or deposit of cremated remains. Cemetery: a burial ground maintained by a burial authority. (Burial authority is defined in article 1 of Schedule 26 of the Local Government Act 1972 and means the local authority (or joint committee if two or more local authorities have agreed to work together) charged with the exercise of the functions of a burial authority). Church: buildings in which services are conducted for which a fee is payable, including chapels which have been licensed or otherwise authorised under the 2011 Mission and Pastoral Measure or the 1949 Marriage Act, but does not include any church or chapel in or belonging to any extra-parochial place which is licensed by the bishop under the 1949 Marriage Act. Churchyard: includes the curtilage of a church and a burial ground of a church, whether or not immediately adjoining a church. Crematorium: any building fitted with appliances for the purpose of burning human remains, and shall include everything incidental or ancillary thereto (s2 of the Cremation Act 1902) Minister: used in this Guide to refer to the officiant but has a narrower definition in relation to a service performed in a crematorium or unconsecrated cemetery under the provisions of section 2 of the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure Monument: includes headstone, cross, kerb, border, vase, chain, railing, tablet, plaque, marker, flatstone, tombstone or monument or tomb of any other kind. Other lawful disposal of cremated remains: This means that cremated remains should be disposed of reverently in a churchyard or other burial ground of a parish, or on an area of land designated by the bishop for this purpose, or at sea. Parochial fees: any fees prescribed in respect of any of the matters set out in Schedule A1 of the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986, as inserted by the Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011 and amended by the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order (An extract of Schedule A1 to the 1986 Measure, as amended, is attached as an annex to this Guide). Particular search: a search made with a view to finding a specific entry about which the searcher has some knowledge and where the approximate date is known. Separate occasion: on any occasion other than immediately preceding or following on from a service in church. Immediately preceding: includes the day before the day on which the service, burial or cremation takes place. Following on: includes the day after the service, burial or cremation takes place. 16

18 General 1. In this Guide the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986, as amended by the Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011, the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 and the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014, is referred to as the 1986 Measure as amended 2. Parochial fees is the term used in this Guide for fees prescribed under the authority of the 1986 Measure as amended. The definition of parochial fees in the Measure is parochial fees means any fees prescribed in respect of any of the matters set out in Schedule A1. 1 (An extract from Schedule A1 to the Measure (as amended) is attached as an annex to this Guide). Fees are prescribed for services such as marriages and funerals which an incumbent (i.e. rector, vicar or, in a team ministry, team rector) is under a legal obligation to provide or conduct. That is why, for example, no fees are prescribed for a service of prayer and dedication after a civil marriage (see paragraph 26) or for various extras, such as music, bells, flowers, etc. (see paragraphs 23 to 25). 3. The term minister is used in this Guide to refer to the officiant but has a narrower definition in relation to a service performed in a crematorium or unconsecrated cemetery under the provisions of section 2 of the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure The 1986 Measure as amended, uses the term church as a general word for buildings in which services are conducted for which a fee is payable, including chapels which have been licensed or otherwise authorised under the 2011 Mission and Pastoral Measure or the 1949 Marriage Act, but does not include any church or chapel in or belonging to any extraparochial place which is licensed by the bishop under the 1949 Marriage Act. 5. The term churchyard includes the curtilage of a church and a burial ground of a church, whether or not immediately adjoining a church. DBF fees 6. The fees shown in the first column of the table of parochial fees are payable to the Diocesan Board of Finance. Under transitional arrangements from January 2013, some incumbents continue to be able to retain the DBF fee. To be able to retain fees the incumbent must have satisfied three conditions. These are that:- a) he or she continues to be the incumbent of the benefice he or she held on 1 July 2011, b) he or she had not signed a Deed of Assignment of fees in favour of the DBF, and c) he or she gave written notice to the bishop of the diocese before 1 January 2012 that he or she wished to receive the DBF part of the fee while he or she remained in that post. 1 Section 10 of the 1986 Measure amended 7. Only if all three conditions apply will the incumbent be able to continue to receive the DBF part of the fee while he or she remains in that post. 8.The DBF can direct either generally, or in particular cases, that any fee, or part of a fee 17

19 which would otherwise be payable to it shall be payable to a minister performing the service. Whether it issues such a direction, and what the direction lay down, is a matter for each DBF to decide. 9. Sometimes it is not clear which DBF is entitled to the DBF part of the fee. Section 1(7) of the 1986 Measure (as amended) specifies that: i) where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service which takes place in a church or churchyard, it is the diocesan board of finance of the diocese in which the church or churchyard is situated, (ii) where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service which takes place otherwise than in a church or churchyard, it is the diocesan board of finance of the diocese within which the deceased was a parishioner, provided that, where the deceased was a parishioner in more than one diocese, the fee shall be shared equally between each of the diocesan boards of finance, and, for this purpose, the parish in question shall be construed in accordance with the definition of parochial church council (see paragraph 11(ii)(on electoral roll) and (iii) (main residence) below) and parishioner shall have effect accordingly, and (iii) in any other case, it is the diocesan board of finance of the diocese where the service or other event to which the fee relates takes place. The parochial church council's fees 10. The fees shown in the second column of the table of parochial fees are payable to the parochial church council. These fees should be regarded as a contribution toward the cost of the general upkeep of the church and churchyard for which the council is responsible. The prescribed fees are not, however, intended to include any payment for extras. (For more detail on what the statutory fees cover, see paragraphs 18 to 21. For clergy travel expenses to and from funerals see paragraph 42.) 11. Sometimes it is not clear which PCC is entitled to the PCC part of the fee. Section 1(7) of the Measure (as amended) specifies that: (i) where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service taking place in a church or churchyard, it is the council of the parish where the church or churchyard is situated (ii) where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service which takes place otherwise than in a church or churchyard, it is the council of the parish on whose electoral roll the deceased was entered, provided that where the deceased was entered on the electoral roll of more than one parish, the fee shall be shared equally between each of the councils of those parishes (iii)where the fee relates to a burial or funeral service which takes place otherwise than in a church or churchyard and the deceased was not entered on any electoral roll, it is the council of the parish where the deceased had his or her usual place of residence, and (iv) in any other case, it is the council of the parish where the service or other event to which the fee relates takes place. 18

20 12. There is no provision for variable charges according to the size of the building. It is suggested that exceptional cases may be approached through inviting additional (voluntary) donations, following consultation in every case with the archdeacon or other diocesan adviser. The working group that suggested this approach had in mind situations where exceptional costs were incurred, for example, a civic occasion, or where the service was to be televised. Fees for services at cathedrals which are parish churches 13. Parochial fees for a parish of which a cathedral is a parish church, which would otherwise be payable to the PCC or the DBF, will be payable to the corporate body of the cathedral. Waiving parochial fees 14. From time to time a situation may arise where an incumbent/priest in charge or parochial church council feels that a fee should be waived. The 1986 Measure, as amended, gives the incumbent/priest in charge a right to waive the DBF s part of the fee in a particular case if he or she so chooses. The PCC has always had the right to waive its part of the fee. 15. In deciding what to do the following need to be borne in mind:- (a) Parochial fees have been approved by the General Synod and Parliament; they are legally payable; (b) If an incumbent/priest in charge waives the DBF fee the diocese will in most cases have to find additional funds for stipends. Ultimately these extra funds will have to be provided by the parishes; (c) The incumbent/priest in charge has a right to waive the DBF fee in a particular case. That means that the incumbent/priest in charge cannot issue a general, blanket waiver of fees in the parish. There is not a statutory requirement for the incumbent/priest in charge to consult before waiving the DBF fee, but, if an incumbent/priest in charge or PCC is considering whether to waive or reduce a fee, regard should be had to any guidelines laid down by the diocese. The incumbent/priest in charge should be able to account for a particular decision to waive a fee. 16. The incumbent/priest in charge also has a right, after consulting the churchwardens of the parish, to waive any fee payable to the PCC in a particular case. 17. The Archbishops Council s advice is that the power to waive fees should only be exercised in cases of clear financial hardship. It is understandable that some clergy have been known to waive fees for those who are long-standing members of the congregation. The Council believes, however, that this practice should not be encouraged. 19

21 Costs and expenses included in parochial fees 18. A Parochial Fees Order can specify costs and expenses which are to be included in a parochial fee prescribed by the Order. 19. The 2014 Order specifies that the parochial fees for marriage services and funeral services in church include any costs and expenses incurred in respect of routine administration, including arranging dates and times and the making of entries in registers, making the church available and lighting it. 2 Accordingly, it is unlawful for an incumbent or PCC to impose any additional charges for making the church available and lighting it in connection with marriage services and funeral services in church. 20. To arrive at the level of fees to include routine administration, making the church available, and lighting the church for marriage and funeral services, the PCC fees have been calculated to include a location/building element based on national statistics for the overall costs of repairs and maintenance of church buildings and the number of hours in use, an element for administrative staffing based on a secretarial rate of pay, and an element for the cost of lighting. PCC fees for burials and monuments include an element towards meeting the cost of long-term maintenance of the churchyard. 21. The cost of heating and providing for the services of a verger are not covered by the statutory parochial fees. When fees are due 22. Statutory parochial fees are due on the performance of the office. Clergy cannot refuse to conduct a marriage service, or deny burial, on account of non- payment of the fee, or any advance payment in respect of the fee. However, if the service is provided, and the fee is not paid, it is recoverable under law. 2 article 2 of Schedule 2 to the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014 (SI 2014/813) 20

22 Extras and special services Extras 23. Parochial fees do not include payment for extras. Examples of the items for which a parish may decide to make an extra charge include: heating the services of a verger; the services of an organist, choir or bell-ringers; sheet or recorded music that has to be specially purchased; the provision of recorded or taped music; the taking of films, video or sound recordings (where permitted); flowers; special furnishings Note: This list is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive. 24. Charges for extras are normally payable to the parochial church council or to the person providing the item (e.g. the organist or choristers). The level of such charges is a matter for local agreement, from time to time, between the incumbent and the parochial church council and should take account of any guidelines laid down by the diocese. 25. Extras can only lawfully be charged for items over which those receiving the ministry have been given a genuine choice. Although parishes can generate much needed additional income from extras the charges need to be both realistic and fair. Extras should never be imposed by the incumbent or PCC where those paying the fees have not agreed that they wish to be provided with the extras in question. The following advice is offered: (a) Information should be provided that is absolutely clear about the level of any charges and what they cover. Best practice is to have an itemised breakdown, which can be agreed before the service with those who have requested it, and which (in the case of funerals) can be forwarded to the funeral director. See yourchurchwedding.org/ for a link to an itemised form for marriage fees, prepared by the Weddings Project. (b) In respect of heating, whether or not to have heating, and how much would be charged, if heating was supplied, should be among the issues raised with the person or persons paying for the service, in discussions before the service takes place. It would be inappropriate for the PCC to supply heating regardless, and then present the person or persons paying for the service with an unexpected and unwelcome extra charge. A PCC which did so would have difficulty in showing that it was legally entitled to claim the sums involved. 21

23 (c) In respect of vergers, the deployment of the verger and how much any charge would be, arising from the deployment of the verger, should be among the issues raised with the person or persons paying for the service, in discussions before the service takes place. It would be inappropriate for the PCC to deploy a verger regardless, and then present the person paying for the service with an unexpected and unwelcome extra charge. Again, a PCC which did so would have difficulty in showing that it was legally entitled to claim the sums involved. (d) The guidance offered by the Royal School of Church Music, Incorporated Society of Musicians, Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and others such bodies should be taken into account when setting the levels for extra charges for music and bell ringers. In this context parishes may wish to know that guideline figures for organists' remuneration are available from the Royal School of Church Music (19 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EB). i. For employed church musicians, the entitlement to receive fees should be clearly addressed within the PCC s contract with that person; model contracts are available from the Organist Publications website ii. Any entitlement to receive a fee even when another person (e.g. a family friend) plays the organ must be clear in the contract and must be made clear to those who ask permission for someone other than the church organist to play for a service, as this can often be a source of misunderstanding and friction. iii. Entitlement (or not) to an additional fee when a service is recorded/filmed should also be clear in any contract and in information given to those seeking a service. (e). A PCC must make sure that proper records are kept of all payments for audit and other purposes. The PCC should also make clear to those receiving payments who are not on the PCC s payroll, that they, not the PCC, are responsible for declaring their payments to HMRC for tax purposes. Overall, clarity of information is the key. Special services 26. A charge may also be made for special services (e.g. memorial services or services of prayer and dedication after a civil marriage). It is recommended that the charge for a special service should, where possible, be based on the parochial fee for the equivalent funeral or marriage service. 27. Details of the amounts payable for extras or special services should be made known to the parties concerned at the earliest possible stage, and (as stated above in Para 25(a) it is recommended that the amounts should be itemised. See for a link to an itemised form for marriage fees, prepared by the Weddings Project. 22

24 Baptisms 28. No fee is payable for the administration of baptism, under the provision of the Baptismal Fees Abolition Act There is, however, a fee payable for a certificate issued at the time of baptism. It is made clear in the 2014 Order that this means a certified copy of the entry in the register of baptism, in the form prescribed by the Parochial Registers and Records Measure Fees are also prescribed for the giving of a formal, legal certificate of baptism at other times. A fee is also specified for a short certificate under the Baptismal Registers Measure No fee is specified for the issuing of souvenir cards that do not comply with the prescribed statutory wording either under the 1978 Measure or the 1961 Measure and thus have no status in law. 29. A fee prescribed by an Order made by the Secretary of State is also payable to an incumbent for a certificate of a name altered or given in baptism. Marriages Fees where a chapel is licensed under the Marriage Act A Bishop may grant a licence for marriages to be solemnised in a public chapel. In the past it was possible for the licence to make provision for the payment of fees. Where such a licence prescribes a fee for the solemnisation of a marriage or for any matter for which a parochial fee is also prescribed, it is now the parochial fee that should be paid rather than the fee laid down by the licence. Under the 1986 Measure, as amended, fees apply as set out in paragraphs 6 to 12 above. Fees where there is a parish centre of worship 31. Where a church or any building or part of a building licensed for public worship has been designated by the Bishop as a parish centre of worship, parochial fees will apply to any funeral or marriage services held in that centre of worship. Fees apply as set out in paragraphs 6 to 12 above. Fee for marriage certificate 32. A fee prescribed by an Order made by the Secretary of State is additionally payable to the PCC for a certificate of marriage. 3 article 2 of part 2 of the schedule 2 to the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014 (SI 2014/813) 23

25 Itemised Form for wedding fees 33. The Weddings Project has published an on-line form which could be used for marriages. See for a link to the form. Funerals The concept of a uniform fee for funeral services 34. The DBF fee for a service in church is lower than that for a service in a cemetery or crematorium. The reason for this is that, in accordance with long-standing policy approved by the General Synod, and reaffirmed in 2012, parochial fees are structured with the aim of ensuring that the total fee payable for a funeral service held in church will be no greater than if it is held in a cemetery or crematorium. Accordingly, the total of the DBF fee plus the parochial church council's fee for a service in church is the same as the total payable for the service in a cemetery or crematorium. The object is not to deter the family, on grounds of cost, from seeking a funeral service in church - with the pastoral opportunities that that can provide. 35. However, there is a fee payable for a short committal in a cemetery or crematorium immediately preceding or following on from a funeral service in church. See paragraphs 47 to 49. Stillbirths and deaths of persons who die within sixteen years after birth 36. No fee is payable for the burial of a stillborn infant or for the funeral or burial of a body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains of a person who dies within sixteen years after birth. Funerals in cemeteries and at crematoria 37. Parochial Fees are legally payable to the DBF and PCC for funeral services if a clerk in holy orders, a deaconess, reader or licensed lay worker officiates at the service (except for a small number of incumbents on transitional arrangements- see paragraph 6, where the DBF fee is payable to the incumbent). PCC fee for funeral service at a crematorium or public burial authority cemetery 38. There is an element, payable to the PCC, in the parochial fee for parish administration in respect of a funeral service at a crematorium or public burial authority cemetery. This reflects the principle behind the calculation of fees that they are built up from assumptions about the costs of ministry and the likely number of hours needed to provide the service. 24

26 An element for administration is now specifically included in parochial fees, and so is included in the fee for a service at a crematorium or public burial authority cemetery, as there must always be a cost to the PCC in the making of arrangements for a service. Payment of funeral fees and expenses 39. The person in charge of the funeral arrangements is responsible for the payment of the fees for the service performed by a minister in a cemetery or crematorium. Where, by custom, a burial authority has arranged with local clergy and funeral directors to collect and pay the fee, it may do so. 40. Statutory parochial fees are due on the performance of the office. Clergy cannot refuse to conduct a marriage service, or deny burial, on account of non- payment of the fee, or any advance payment in respect of the fee. However, if the service is provided, and the fee is not paid, it is recoverable under law. Privately owned cemeteries and crematoria 41(a) Fees specified in the table do not apply to privately owned cemeteries if they were established under private Acts of Parliament that make their own provision for fees. So, parochial fees are not payable for funeral and burial services in privately owned cemeteries. However, in practice, fees at the same rate as parochial fees may be payable in such privately owned cemeteries. (b) All crematoria are subject the same legislation. Fees, payable to DBFs and PCCs, are payable in respect of services that take place at privately owned crematoria, as well as local authority crematoria where the service in question is taken by a clerk in holy orders or by a duly licensed deaconess, reader or lay worker. Clergy travel expenses to and from funerals 42. Often, the person in charge of the funeral, wherever it may be held, makes suitable arrangements for the transport of the minister to and from that place, and to and from the place where the interment takes place. If this does not happen, the minister concerned may claim any travelling expenses that may necessarily and reasonably be incurred. (The Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Finance may be consulted about any mileage rate generally adopted in the diocese.) See the booklet The Parochial Expenses of the Clergy a Guide to their Reimbursement, which is available on the Church of England website office-holders/remuneration-and-conditions-ofservice-committee/the-parochial- expenses-of-the-clergy.aspx 25

27 Burials, etc. (The notes in this section are in alphabetical order. See also paragraphs 36 and 37) Burial and other lawful disposal of cremated remains - definition 43. For the purposes of parochial fees, burial includes burial in a vault or brick grave and the interment or deposit of cremated remains. Fees are prescribed for the burial of a body, and for the burial of cremated remains in a churchyard or other lawful disposal of cremated remains. This means that cremated remains should be disposed of reverently in a churchyard or other burial ground of a parish, or on an area of land designated by the bishop for this purpose, or at sea The statutory fees for the burial of a body in the churchyard are payable to the DBF and PCC for the burial of a body in a Church of England churchyard or church burial ground even if, at the request of the family, no minister is present or a minister of another denomination officiates at the burial. Such burials are permissible only by virtue of the Burial Laws Amendment Act 1880 which provides that the same fees which would have been payable for a Church of England burial are payable in respect of a burial which is permitted by virtue of the Act. Burial on separate occasion in cemetery 45. There is a parochial fee for a burial on a separate occasion in a cemetery. Separate occasion is defined as on any occasion other than immediately preceding or following on from a service in church. Similarly immediately preceding includes the day before the day on which the service, burial or cremation takes place, and following on includes the day after the service, burial or cremation takes place. 5 Circumstances where faculties are required 46. a faculty is required to authorise the interment or deposit of cremated remains in a church or in a closed churchyard or parish burial ground. In such a case, the fees payable, in addition to the fee for the granting of the faculty, are: (a) where the act is authorised by a general faculty, the same as the fee for burial in a churchyard; (b) where the act is authorised by a particular faculty, such sums as the Chancellor may determine (see also paragraph 58). 4 see Canon B38 and section 3 of the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure see article 1 part 2 of schedule A1 to the 1986 Measure as amended 26

28 Committals at cemeteries and crematoria 47. Separate fees, payable to the DBF, are prescribed for the attendance of a minister at a committal in a public burial authority cemetery or a crematorium immediately preceding or following on from a service in church. 48. These fees are listed in the fees table for funerals, burials, and monuments, as Burial of body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains, in cemetery immediately preceding or following on from service in church, and Cremation immediately preceding or following on from service in church. Fees are built up from assumptions about the costs of ministry and the likely number of hours needed to provide the service. 49. The appropriate one of these fees is payable in addition to the fee for a funeral service in church, but is not payable if a minister does not attend at the burial authority cemetery or at a crematorium. Grave-digging 50. The fees for burials do not include charges for grave-digging and subsequent filling in and making good. The cost of this, if the work is done by a parochial officer, should be regulated from time to time by the incumbent and parochial church council. The charges for any bricklaying or mason's work will also be additional. Grave spaces and vaults - reservation of 51. Payment of parochial fees does not confer any right to construct a new vault, or an exclusive right to a grave or vault. Where a faculty is granted conferring such rights for a specified period, the amount and destination of any fees, other than the fee for the granting of the faculty, is determined by the Chancellor. Who has the right of burial in the churchyard 52. Only certain persons have a right by law for their bodies to be buried in the churchyard, provided there is room. These are: (a) parishioners (which term includes persons dying in the parish); (b) non-parishioners who nevertheless have a statutory right (e.g. under the Pastoral Measure 1983, on the formation of a new parish); (c) persons on the church electoral roll at the date of death. 53. The burial, in the churchyard of the body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains of a person who does not have the right of burial in the churchyard is only permissible with the consent of the incumbent. Under section 6 of the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1976, the incumbent must, in giving such consent, have 27

29 regard to any general guidance given by the parochial church council; if there is no incumbent, the priest-in-charge or curate, or, if there is no such person, the area dean may give such consent. 54. Parochial fees for burials apply to all burials (whether of a body or cremated remains). Likewise, the parochial fees for the other lawful disposal of cremated remains apply to all other lawful disposals of cremated remains. Incumbents and PCCs will not be able to charge more (or less) than the parochial fees for the burial of the body or cremated remains, or the other lawful of cremated remains of persons who do not have the right to be buried in the churchyard. MONUMENTS Monuments, faculties for, etc. 55. The term monument includes headstone, cross, kerb, border, vase, chain, railing, tablet, plaque, marker, flatstone, tombstone or monument or tomb of any other kind. Parochial fees are payable for any monument or additional inscription not requiring a particular, or special, faculty. 56. Legally, no monument can be erected in a churchyard without a faculty. In practice, however, the consistory court generally does not insist on a faculty for an ordinary monument provided it complies with whatever general directions for the diocese the Chancellor may have issued, and provided also that the incumbent consents. 57. A faculty is required for the erection of a monument in a church or for any additional inscription thereon. 58. When a particular, or special, faculty is sought for a monument in a churchyard or a church, or for any additional inscription thereon, the fees payable to the incumbent and/or parochial church council will be determined by the Chancellor. Monuments for children (persons under the age of 16 years) 59. Fees for monuments commemorating persons under the age of 16 years who have died and whose body or cremated remains are interred in the churchyard, apply as they would if the person who had died was aged 16 years or over. Vault 60. See paragraphs 43 and 51 28

30 Searches Deposited registers 61. Attention is drawn to the provisions of the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 (as amended by the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992) whereby some parish registers and records must be deposited in a diocesan record office, and others may be. Where registers have been so deposited, the arrangements for access rest with the authority responsible for the record office. Statutory searches 62. The custodians of registers retained in a parish have a statutory obligation to make registers of baptisms, marriages and burials available to members of the public at all reasonable hours and to provide, if requested, certified copies of entries. Statutory charges 63. The table of fees prescribes a statutory charge only for a particular search, i.e. a search made with a view to finding a specific entry about which the searcher has some knowledge and where the approximate date is known. The fee for a more general search of a church register is negotiable with the PCC. 64. It should be noted that no fee at all may be charged for a particular search for an entry in a marriage register after 30 June (There is, however, a fee prescribed by the Secretary of State for providing a certified copy of an entry in a marriage register.) Non-statutory charges 65. Charges for other types of searches in registers retained in the parish should normally be settled by negotiation. It is recommended that this should be on the basis of the rates for the particular searches prescribed in the table of fees and the time involved. Examples of searches not covered by the statutory charges are those: (a) conducted by correspondence (where a custodian undertakes voluntarily to make a search as a result of correspondence, it is recommended that payment should be sought in advance); (b) of a general nature, i.e. not undertaken with a view to tracing a particular entry; (c) in registers other than for baptisms, marriages and burials; (d) in such civil records as may remain in parochial custody (except for certain tithe documents for which there is a statutory fee). 29

31 Custody of records 66. For further information about the custody of parochial registers and records, the Guide to the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978, Revised Edition (1992) ISBN is available from Church House Publishing or see the Measure itself. Special arrangements for bona fide research work 67. In some dioceses the Diocesan Books and Documents Committee may have issued guidance as to the basis on which any concessionary charges may be made for bona fide students or persons carrying out academic research for non-profit motives. In these dioceses custodians of registers should be guided by such advice. Legislation cited in this Guide Up to date versions of all legislation cited in this Guide can be found on the legislation website: Baptismal Fees Abolition Act 1872 Baptismal Registers Measure 1961 Burial Laws Amendment Act 1880 Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1976 Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2014 Cremation Act 1902 Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986 Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011 Local Government Act 1972 Marriage Act 1949 Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014 (Statutory Instrument No 2014/813) Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2014 (Statutory Instrument No 2014/1790) and Canon B38 30

32 Annex Extract from Part 1 of Schedule A1 to the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986 as inserted by the Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure 2011, and amended by the Parochial Fees and Scheduled Matters Amending Order 2014 PART 1 TABLE OF MATTERS TO WHICH PAROCHIAL FEES RELATE BAPTISMS Certificate issued at time of baptism Short certificate of baptism given under Section 2 of the Baptismal Registers Measure 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz. 2 No. 2) MARRIAGES Publication of banns of marriage Certificate of banns issued at time of publication Marriage service FUNERALS AND BURIALS OF PERSONS AGED 16 YEARS OR MORE Service in church Funeral service in church, whether taking place before or after burial or cremation burial of body in churchyard immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains in churchyard immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial of body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains, in a cemetery immediately preceding or following on from service in church Cremation immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial of body in churchyard on separate occasion Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of remains on separate occasion Burial of body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains, in cemetery on separate occasion No service in church Funeral service (including burial of body) at graveside in churchyard Funeral service (including burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains) in churchyard 31

33 Funeral service in crematorium or funeral service (including burial of body or other lawful disposal of cremated remains) in cemetery Burial of body in churchyard (committal only) Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of remains (committal only) Certificate issued at time of burial MONUMENTS IN CHURCHYARDS Permitted in accordance with rules, regulations or directions made by the Chancellor including those relating to a particular churchyard or part of a churchyard (but excluding a monument authorised by a particular faculty) including inscription on existing monument SEARCHES IN CHURCH REGISTERS ETC Searching registers of marriages for period before 1st July 1837 Searching registers of baptisms or burials (including provision of one copy of any entry) Each additional copy of an entry in a register of baptisms or burials Inspection of instrument of apportionment or agreement for exchange of land for tithes deposited under the Tithe Act 1836 (6 & 7 Will. 4 c. 71) Furnishing copies of above (for every 72 words) 32

34 APPENDIX 2 TABLE OF PAROCHIAL FEES from 1 January 2017 Note: This table sets out the fees prescribed by the Parochial Fees Order 2014 (a Statutory Instrument) and summarises other relevant information. For legal purposes reference should be made to the Order itself Fee payable Towards Diocesan Board of Finance Fee Payable To Parochial Church Council BAPTISMS Total Fee Payable Certificate issued at time of baptism (See Note 1) Short certificate of baptism given under section 2, Baptismal Registers Measure MARRIAGES Publication of banns of marriage Certificate of banns issued at time of publication Marriage Service (See Note 5. For marriage certificate see Note 6)

35 FUNERALS AND BURIALS OF PERSON AGED 16 YEARS OR MORE (See Note 3(i)) Service in Church Funeral service in church, whether taking place before or after burial or cremation (See Note 5) Burial of body in churchyard immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains in churchyard immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial of body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains, in cemetery immediately preceding or following on from service in church Cremation immediately preceding or following on from service in church Burial of body in churchyard on separate occasion (See Note 3(ii)) Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of cremated remains on separate occasion (See Note 3(ii)) Burial of body, or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains, in cemetery on separate occasion (See Note 3(ii)) No Service in Church Funeral service (including burial of body) at graveside in churchyard Funeral service (including burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains) at graveside in churchyard Funeral service at crematorium, or funeral service (including burial of body or burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains) in cemetery Burial of body in churchyard (committal only) Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of cremated remains (committal only) Certificate issued at time of burial (See Note 3(iii))

36 MONUMENTS IN CHURCHYARDS Permitted in accordance with rules, regulations or directions made by the Chancellor of the diocese, including those relating to a particular churchyard or part of a churchyard (but excluding a monument authorized by a particular faculty, the fee for which is set by the Chancellor) Small cross of wood Small vase not exceeding 305mm x 203mm x 203mm (12 x 8 x 8 ) or tablet, plaque or other marker commemorating a person whose remains have been cremated Any other monument Note: the above fees include the approval of the original inscription by the incumbent) Additional inscription on existing monument EXTRAS The fees shown in this table are the statutory fees payable. It is stressed that the figures do not include charges for extras such as heating, the services of a verger, music (e.g. organist, choir), bells, and flowers, which are fixed by the Parochial Church Council. See for guidance Published by The Archbishops Council Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ 35

37 NOTES: 1. CERTIFICATES OF BAPTISM The fee for a certificate issued at the time of baptism is for a certified copy of the entry in the register book of baptisms giving the particulars required in Form No 1 in Schedule 1 to the Parochial Registers and Records Measure The fees payable for a certified copy of the full entry issued at any other time are the fees prescribed for searching registers of baptisms and burials and, if applicable, for each additional copy of an entry in such a register. 2. DEFINITIONS etc. Burial includes deposit in a vault or brick grave and the interment or deposit of cremated remains. Churchyard includes the curtilage of a church and a burial ground of a church whether or not immediately adjoining such church. (NOTE: This includes any area used for the interment of cremated remains within such a curtilage or burial ground, whether consecrated or not.) Cemetery means a burial ground maintained by a burial authority. Monument includes headstone, cross, kerb, border, vase, chain, railing, tablet, plaque, marker, flatstone, tombstone or monument or tomb of any other kind. immediately preceding or following on from service in church includes the day before and the day after the service in church. Where - appears in the table no fee is payable to the body indicated. 3. FUNERALS & BURIALS i) No fee is payable in respect of a burial of a still-born infant, or for the funeral or burial of a person dying within sixteen years after birth. ii) The fee for a burial in a churchyard or cemetery on a separate occasion applies when burial does not take place on the same day as, or on the day before or the day after, a service in church. iii) The certificate issued at the time of burial is a certified copy of the entry in the register book of burials kept under the Parochial Registers and Records Measure SEARCHES IN CHURCH REGISTERS The search fee relates to a particular search where the approximate date of the baptism, marriage or burial is known. The fee for a more general search of a church register is negotiable. 5. COSTS AND EXPENSES In the case of a marriage service or a funeral service in church, any costs and expenses incurred in respect of routine administration (including arranging dates and times and the making of entries in registers), making the church available and lighting it are included in the fee prescribed as payable to the parochial church council. 6. FEE FOR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE The following fees are currently payable under the Marriage Act 1949 to the parochial church council under the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2014: certified copy of entry in marriage register at time of registration 4.00; subsequently

38 Appendix 3. Specimen Monthly Return Form for Incumbents/Priests in Charge NAME: REFERENCE NUMBER: MONTH/YEAR: /2017 NAME OF BENEFICE: Total Fee Payable Fee Payable To PCC Fee payable to DBF No. of SERVICES Amount due to PCC Amount Due to the DBF BAPTISMS Certificate issued at time of baptism Short certificate of baptism MARRIAGES Publication of banns of marriage FUNERALS & BURIALS OF PERSON AGED 16 YEARS OR MORE Certificate of banns issued at time of publication Marriage Service Service whether taking place before or after burial or in cremation Church Burial in churchyard immediately preceding or following on Burial or other lawful disposal of cremated remains in churchyard immediately preceding or following on Burial in cemetery or cremation immediately preceding or following on Burial of body in churchyard on separate occasion Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of remains on separate occasion No Service in Church Burial in cemetery on separate occasion Service at graveside in churchyard Service (including burial of cremated remains) at graveside in churchyard Service at crematorium or cemetery Burial of body in churchyard Burial of cremated remains in churchyard or other lawful disposal of cremated remains Certificate issued at time of burial

39 Monuments in Church Yards Searches in Church Registers Small wooden cross Small vase, tablet, plaque or other marker Any other monument Additional inscription on existing monument Searching (for up to one hour) registers of marriages for period for each subsequent hour or part of an hour before 1 July 1837 Searching registers of baptism or burials (including the provision of one copy of any entry therein) for up to one hour for each subsequent hour or part of an hour Each additional copy of an entry in a register of baptism or burials Inspection of instrument of apportionment or agreement for exchange of land for tithes deposited under the Tithe Act 1836 Furnishing copies of above (for every 72 words) Total PCC Copy DBF Copy 38

40 Date: Service conducted: Full name of the clergy person who conducted the service: Please fill in this section if any of the above services have been conducted by a retired clergy person, an OLM, non-stipendiary Minister or Reader. I confirm that the minister named above has carried out the associated pastoral visiting. Signature of Incumbent or Priest in Charge Date 39

41 Appendix 4. Specimen Return Form for Retired Stipendiary Clergy Retired Clergy with Permission to Officiate: Claim Form for fees and expenses following conduct of services at a cemetery/crematorium during interregna, periods of sickness and study leave of an incumbent Name: Address: Post Code: Date Type of Service Conducted Firm/Name of Undertaker Comments [Please indicate the name of Parish and if the permission of the incumbent or priest in charge has been obtained] Expenses (other those paid by Funeral Director) Total Fee PCC Portion Office Use Only DBF Portion Fee due to Clergy Total (Fee & Expenses) TOTALS Number of Services: Signature of claimant: Date: Period of Claim: 40