PICTURES: County Durham group holds funeral in church for the 'planet'

Instead of mourning the death of a person, the service at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church grieved the loss of biodiversity and future generations of children.

Environmental campaigners joined members of Bishop Auckland Fellowship of Christian Churches for the service to shine a light on the climate crisis and destruction of the planet – and to call for action by ordinary people and world leaders.

Host Rev John Purdy said: “As a group, of all denominations, we speak with one voice on this.

“I felt this was a good time to hold a respectful funeral for all those interested in the environment to come and grieve the loss of biodiversity and the death of children in the future.

“It is the start of the season of creation, not just harvest festivals and celebrating the earth but to show a real appreciation and do something for it.

“As churches, with a strong lay voice, we speak with passion as parents, grandparents, gardeners, farmers, scientists and teachers to call for change now.”

Bishop Auckland Methodist in Bishop Auckland held a funeral service to mourn the loss of biodiversity and climate change Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

During the service a wicker coffin was led into the church by a procession of clergy, music recorded by young people was played, poignant readings given and flowers laid at the altar.

Methodist and scientist Dr Mike Thorne said people had been careless stewards of the earth –allowing CO2 emissions to increase year on year for more than 30 years and ignoring warnings about the dangers of climate change.

“We felled forests, burned coal and oil, destroyed the landscape with mines and mills, we have plundered without thought or care,” he added.

He urged the world to take notice of rising sea levels, shrinking ice fields, increased wildfires and expanding desserts and the threat posed to habitats from hill to coast in County Durham which is threatening species like merlin.

He said nations that have profited from “black gold” must help others to be cleaner and greener so we can all look after the planet for future generations of people, flora and fauna.

Bishop Auckland Methodist in Bishop Auckland held a funeral service to mourn the loss of biodiversity and climate change Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

In a eulogy, Karin Weetman, a climate activist and Catholic, said: “This is not inevitable. We are looking into a future of what is yet to come. Another future is possible.

“We have under a decade to move from fossil fuels to green renewable energy."

She said people could take small steps to live more simply and sustainably and organisations including faith, businesses and governments must take action to save the planet.

Bishop Auckland Methodist in Bishop Auckland held a funeral service to mourn the loss of biodiversity and climate change Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Bishop Auckland Methodist in Bishop Auckland held a funeral service to mourn the loss of biodiversity and climate change pictured Dennis Tindall Catholic Priest Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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