The tradition of the  Offenham Death Bell
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​Almost all religions use bells to communicate, both during worship and as part of daily life.  The ringing of a bell when someone dies is part of that heritage and continued in most parishes until well into the 20th century.  Offenham is one of the few churches where that tradition continues today.

​From the medieval ringing of bells to clear the soul’s path to heaven the practice evolved into the Christian tradition of the ringing of three bells, each one a call for parishioners to pray for the dying.  The first bell was the passing bell which rung before death, and this was followed by the death knell rung immediately after death.  Finally as the funeral procession approached the church the lych bell was rung.   The passing bell is now part of history, but the tradition of the lych bell continues across the country, now usually known as ‘tolling’ for a funeral.

The death knell became more than just a call to pray for the dead.  In the days of small, close parishes the way the bell was rung conveyed enough information to let the community know just who had died.  Parishes tended to have their own traditions, but some things were common to all:  the ‘teller strokes’, ‘tellers’ or in some places ‘tailors’ indicate the sex of the deceased, and their age is tolled or chimed.
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Not only is Offenham one of the last places where a death bell is rung, I am sure the way we do it is unique.  Tolling the tenor for an exact number of blows is something that requires a lot of skill, and I imagine our practice comes from a time when we did not have anyone with that ability.  If the Offenham death bell rings you will hear:

• The tellers –ether two chimes for a woman or three chimes for a man rung on each bell, starting with the treble (highest note).
• The age strokes – the age of the deceased will be chimed on the third bell.
• Tolling – the tenor will ring up, there will be a pause inviting you to take a moment to remember the person who has died, and then the bell will toll for about 2 minutes.  After a short pause the bell will then ring down.

 
The death bell is rung as soon as possible after someone has died (usually the same or next day) and during the hours of daylight.
 
If you would like the death bell rung for somebody in the village who has died please contact Claire, the Benefice Administrator or the Vicar as soon as possible.  Contact details are in the Parish magazine, or use the contact form on the homepage.