The level of parochial fees is currently determined by the Parochial Fees Order 2024 which sets the framework for fees in 2025 and 2026. Under this Order the fees increased annually in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rounded up to the nearest whole pound, subject to a cap of 5% p.a. A new Parochial Fees Order is required to set the fees for 2027 and beyond (the maximum period permitted under the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986 (the 1986 Measure) is five years). Except for fees relating to the burial of a body or cremated remains in a Churchyard[*], the base figures in the draft Order proposed by the Archbishops’ Council are the fees that are currently payable (i.e. in 2026).
The basis for parochial fees for the next quinquennium, 2027 to 2031, is laid down in the Parochial Fees Order 2026, GS2434, which is supplemented by a Policy Note, GS 2434P and an Explanatory Note, GS 2434X. The draft Order prescribes the parochial fees payable for the period 1st January 2027 to 31st December 2031 in connection with marriages, funerals and burials and the erection of monuments in churchyards and in respect of other, miscellaneous matters.
The Parochial Fees Order 2026 (GS 2434) will be considered for approval on the One Motion Procedure under SO 72 by General Synod on the morning of Friday 13 January 2026. Any member who wishes to give notice of an amendment to the draft Order must do so in accordance with SO 13 not later than 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
The format for the calculation of Parochial Fees follows that used in previous years. The table in Schedule 1 of the draft Order sets out “base figures” which represent the level of parochial fees at current prices. Other than in the case of the fees for burials, the base figures are the currently payable figures for 2026. The fees payable for each year covered by the Order will be determined by adjusting the base figures in accordance with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), as specified by article 4 of the Order. 8. Those for 2027 will be the base figures increased by the percentage increase in CPI over 12 months as at August 2026.
The relevant percentage figure will be published by the Office of National Statistics in September 2026 at which point Archbishops’ Council staff will perform the necessary calculations and towards the end of the year a table showing the fees payable for 2027 will be available. Should the CPI go down (i.e. if there is deflation) the fees payable will remain at the same level as in the previous year.
Article 5 and Schedule 2 of the draft Order contain supplementary and incidental provisions – for example as to what is included in the fee in certain cases. These are to the same effect as those contained in the 2024 Order.
[*] Details in separate post, t.b.a..