News
Updated - Funeral arrangements for Chris Smith
(November 13, 2020)We wanted to let you know the details of funeral arrangements that have now been confirmed by Chris’ family.
The service will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield, Friday 20 November at 12:30pm. The current restrictions on numbers means that the church service is mostly a family affair.
The funeral will be live streamed on Zoom and can be accessed directly from the church's homepage (no password required):
http://www.holytrinitycuckfield.org
Please join by 12.20pm, mute your device and switch off your camera throughout the service, using one device per household where possible. This should help improve the bandwidth for everyone watching.
Rob Watts has been working with the family helping with their wishes to involve those who knew Chris. We are pleased to share details on how you can pay your respects during the day.
The funeral procession
Chris will be traveling from Haywards Heath to Cuckfield on his journey to the church. Chris’s wife, Lindsay, has requested that those wishing to come out to pay their respects and celebrate Chris do so as the funeral procession makes its way up to Cuckfield.
Of course, we all need to be mindful and respectful of social distancing requirements so we would ask that you do this either individually, in your bubble or with one other person.
The funeral procession commences at the Miller & Carter just after midday and will make its way up Butlers Green Road, over the roundabout and onto Tylers Green before joining Broad Street up into Cuckfield. At the end of Broad Street, the route turns left onto South Road descending through the village before taking a final left turn at Church Platt, which is at the rear of the Holy Trinity Church. The attached map shows the route details.
The running ‘honour guard’
The family have requested a running ‘honour guard’ to accompany Chris on his journey. We have therefore agreed with the Cottage training group and Thames Valley Harriers, clubs who Chris was very close too, that they will each field a running team to accompany the lead funeral vehicle.
Each club has provided four runners who will run alongside in club colours for a part of the journey.
- Cottage will take leg one from the Miller & Carter to Tylers Green
- Haywards Heath Harriers will take the section up to Warden Park Academy
- Thames Valley Harriers will take the final leg to the church.
A celebration of Chris
Lindsay would like us to remember the good times and to celebrate Chris. You are therefore actively encouraged to applaud the funeral procession as it makes its way to the church.
Flowers and Donations
It has been requested that flowers are sent by family only, but should you wish to leave messages of remembrance you can do so via this link:
Online Book of Remembrance for Chris Smith
The Chris Smith Memorial Fund
The family have set up the 'Chris Smith Memorial Fund' and would welcome donations, if you wish, and are able.
Thank you