Queen did not want ‘long, boring’ funeral, says former archbishop of York

Sep 19, 2022 by Jill

by Harriet Sherwood, Guardian:

John Sentamu says ‘hearts and people’s cockles will be warmed’ by Westminster Abbey service rooted in 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The Queen’s plea to avoid a “long, boring” funeral service will be answered on Monday with a relatively concise but stirring send-off that includes familiar hymns and traditional Bible readings.

John Sentamu, the former archbishop of York, revealed on Sunday that the Queen “did not want what you call long, boring services. You’re not going to find boredom, but you’re going to be lifted to glory as you hear the service.”

Sentamu, who had first sight of plans for the Queen’s funeral in 2005 when he became an archbishop and a member of the privy council, said the service would be rooted in the Book of Common Prayer.

“What you’re going to expect is the best of funeral services, the prayer book service, the words which were an inspiration to Shakespeare,” he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Read here