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  • legacy
  1. Home
  2. Legacy

Legacy

View and download Legacy leaflets

Preparing for a good death

You can begin to prepare for a good death when you are fit and healthy. From making a Will to planning your funeral, this involves thinking about your legacy and how you would like to be remembered. Here we offer support with leaving a legacy to your parish or to a charity, as well as resources to help plan your Funeral Mass and for organ donation.

So much to be grateful for

As Catholics we have much to be grateful for, not least for the faith that has sustained us throughout our lives and for the community that is our local parish.

It is in the local parish that our faith has developed and been nurtured, where we have received teaching, inspiration and support.

Many of us have been encouraged in our faith by those around us and especially by our priests.

The local parish is a microcosm of the worldwide Church, where Catholics come together to serve God and others. For many of us, it is what helps to sustain our faith in both good and challenging times.

We have much to thank our local parishes for.

The Hands of Christ

Our parish churches are the interface between the Church and the world and act as the hands and voice of Christ, not only for us as parishioners, but for the communities they serve. They are the focal point for prayer, teaching, evangelisation and a wide range of social action with those who are marginalised. But all this takes significant resources.

Why remember your parish in your Will?

  • Leaving a legacy to our parish is the logical continuation of a life-time of giving.
  • It is good stewardship and a simple way to ensure the Catholic faith will live on in future generations.
  • It is an affordable way to give. If all of us left a gift of just 1% of our estate, this would make a big difference.
  • You don’t need to be rich to help in this way. Many Catholics have already done so, not just those who are better off.
  • All gifts in Wills are tax efficient, as no inheritance tax is paid on a gift to the Church.

The Church encourages us to be mindful of God’s many blessings and of His provision for us. In so doing, our natural response is to want to give back, recognising that all good things come from God.

Leaving a gift in our will is the culmination of a life-time of faith, a sign of gratitude for all we have enjoyed. Once we have provided for the needs of our family, this is a simple step we can all take.

By remembering our parish in our Will, we can support the vital work of priests and people in the building up of God’s Church, in looking after our churches and in reaching out to those in need in our local communities. All of this is made possible as we give back to God in response to His care of us.

No Inheritance Tax

The government supports gifts that are left to charities in someone's Will, and any such gift is free of Inheritance Tax. This means that when your executors are calculating whether any Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate at the time of your death, they do not have to take into account any amount which you give to the Church.

Further information can be found through the Money Advice Service

Getting Advice

For advice on writing your Will we recommend that you speak to your solicitor. We are happy to liaise with them regarding wording, and can be reached on the telephone number below.

For more information or if you would like to discuss leaving a gift in your will, please email us at: [email protected]

You may also find it helpful to visit The Art of Dying Well, rethinking the art of accompaniment at the end of life. The website includes public engagement, policy and research on death, dying and bereavement.

You can download leaflets for each topic below and parishes will be able to order in copies too. View and download Legacy leaflets

My Funeral Mass

My Funeral Mass

Set out your wishes for your Funeral Mass to share with family, friends or your parish. Read more

Published: 10th February, 2021

Updated: 4th May, 2021

Author: Caroline Bletso

Organ Donation

Organ Donation

What is the Organ Donation Act 2019 and how can I register my wishes? Read more

Published: 10th February, 2021

Updated: 17th February, 2021

Author: Caroline Bletso

Wording for Your Will

Wording for Your Will

Sample wording for your will if you would like to leave a gift to your local parish church or charity. Read more

Published: 10th February, 2021

Updated: 17th January, 2022

Author: Caroline Bletso

Legacies made

Legacies made

Stories of legacies made to parishes, schools and charities in the Archdiocese Read more

Published: 10th September, 2020

Updated: 10th September, 2021

Author: Caroline Bletso

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