Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

We are often asked if we hold weddings, baptisms or funerals in the Cathedral, and the answer is that we do. Being a Cathedral, however, means that the rules and guidelines about who can be married or baptised here are different from those at a Parish Church in the Church of England.

On the whole, these special services are available only to regular members of the Cathedral congregation, with a small number of exceptions. There is an old rumour that any graduate of Durham University may be married here, but this untrue, and a disappointment to the many Durham alumni who enquire about the possibility of a wedding each year. Furthermore, the provisions of the (forthcoming) Marriage Measure which widen the eligibility for marriage in a parish church do not apply to Cathedrals such as Durham.

If you wish to be baptised or married in the Cathedral and think that you may have a good reason, or you wish to enquire further into the possibility of a funeral, please send an email to the Succentor.