Funeral and wedding choirs in Barking & Dagenham
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham stretches along the north bank of the Thames in East London, encompassing the historic town centre of Barking, the residential streets of Dagenham and Chadwell Heath, and a growing number of regeneration areas along the riverside. Our choirs and soloists sing at funerals, memorials and weddings across the borough, from St Margaret’s Church in Barking to the cemetery chapels at Eastbrookend and Rippleside.
Funerals at St Margaret’s Barking and the borough’s cemeteries
St Margaret’s Church in Barking is one of the most historically significant churches in East London, standing on grounds that were once part of Barking Abbey, one of the great medieval monasteries of England. Its stone walls and high ceilings create a resonant acoustic that is ideally suited to choral singing, and our musicians have sung for funerals and memorials there many times. Eastbrookend Cemetery and Rippleside Cemetery both serve families across the borough with well-maintained chapels where live music can make a profound difference to the atmosphere of a service. For guidance on choosing the right music, please see our funeral music guide or get in touch directly.
We also provide funeral singers for services in Chadwell Heath and at churches and community venues throughout Dagenham. Whether a family chooses traditional hymns, a contemporary song, or a piece of classical choral music, we take the time to prepare every performance with care and sensitivity. Our singers are experienced in services of all faiths and none, and we work closely with funeral directors and clergy so that the music runs to time. Our services page sets out how we work with families, clergy and funeral directors in Dagenham and Chadwell Heath.
Weddings at St Margaret’s Church
For couples planning a wedding in Barking and Dagenham, the historic setting of St Margaret’s Church offers a memorable backdrop for a ceremony. The borough’s other churches and licensed venues also provide warm and welcoming spaces for celebrations of all sizes. A live choir does what a recording cannot: it gives the hymns a lead the congregation can follow without embarrassment. Our singers are skilled at supporting congregational hymns while also delivering polished choral pieces during the signing of the register. Couples still picking hymns for St Margaret’s can start with our guide to choosing wedding hymns.
How many singers for Barking and Dagenham venues
St Margaret’s Barking is a substantial parish church with a generous nave, and for a wedding there a sextet usually carries congregational hymns confidently while still giving room for unaccompanied anthems during quieter moments. A quartet works well for smaller weddings or for funerals where the congregation is family-only. For services in the smaller churches and community venues around Dagenham and Chadwell Heath, a quartet tends to suit the rooms better than a larger group — the balance between voices and space is easier to manage, and the sound carries without crowding. For a graveside or a short committal, a soloist is usually plenty; a quartet is ideal if you want the same singers for the chapel service. Our pricing page lays out costs by ensemble size.
“The singers were quite simply wonderful. They brought such warmth to the service — it was exactly what we had hoped for and more.”
Questions about Barking and Dagenham services
How much does a funeral singer cost in Barking and Dagenham?
For services at St Margaret’s Church, Eastbrookend Cemetery, or any other venue in the borough, a soloist starts from £250. A small choir of four is £1,150, a quintet £1,400, a sextet £1,600, and a full choir of eight £2,000. Barking and Dagenham lies within Greater London, so travel to any venue in the borough is included in each fee.
Can the same singers cover the chapel and the graveside at Eastbrookend or Rippleside?
Yes. A soloist is usually enough for a graveside or a short committal, but if you want the same singers in the chapel beforehand, book a quartet (from £1,150). Eastbrookend and Rippleside cemeteries both have chapels.
What music can you sing at a funeral in Barking, from St Margaret’s to the cemetery chapels?
Our repertoire spans traditional hymns, classical sacred works, and contemporary songs. At a venue like St Margaret’s, the resonant acoustic suits choral anthems particularly well, but we also arrange popular pieces for solo voice or small ensemble at the borough’s cemetery chapels.
Families arranging a service at St Margaret’s or in the Eastbrookend chapel can start with our funeral music guide and the list of popular funeral hymns. The funeral music costs guide sets out fees, and the wedding hymns guide is there for couples marrying at St Margaret’s.
Carols in Barking, Dagenham and Chadwell Heath
St Margaret’s Church hosts a Christmas carol service each December, and we also send carol singers for hire to offices, venues, and residents’ events across Barking, Dagenham, and Chadwell Heath. The choir can hold a fixed programme in one place or roam between rooms, taking requests from colleagues and guests as they go. December fills quickly, so early enquiries make the difference.