People gathered in Carlisle and Workington to say goodbye to the Queen.
A big screen was erected in Bitts Park, Carlisle, for the state funeral and in Workington, the screen on the side of the sports centre was used to broadcast the ceremony.
While there was a large crowd in Carlisle, Workington only saw around 25 people gather in total for the moving event.
Churches across Cumbria marked the Queen’s funeral and gave thanks for her life in scores of services over the weekend.
A number of churches opened their doors to screen the state funeral and offer people the opportunity to come together to watch the ceremony.
About 50 people gathered at Kendal Parish Church, whilst there were also screenings at St James Carlisle, St Patrick’s Patterdale, St Mary’s Ambleside and Christ Church Silloth, with Penrith Salvation Army Corps also encouraging people to come along.
The Rev Shanthi Thompson, the vicar of Kendal Parish Church, said: “As a church we wanted to offer people the opportunity to come together to watch The Queen’s funeral. Some people wouldn’t want to be alone, some people might not have a television, so it’s good to be able to come into this holy space and feel you are worshipping alongside those in Westminster Abbey.”
Around 20 people also gathered in the Parish Centre of St James Carlisle to view the funeral and then join together for a soup lunch.
The Rev Simon Bickersteth, the vicar of St James, said: “It was such a momentous occasion in the life of our nation, so it just felt important to give people the opportunity to come together to watch the funeral. I’m conscious of the fact that there may have been people by themselves and being with others for such an event is so important.”
The BBC had waived the need for a TV licence for the day to enable churches and other community venues to screen the funeral. Over the weekend dozens of civic, commemorative and thanksgiving services were also held.
Meanwhile the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, has taken part in both the state funeral and then the committal at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as part of his role as Clerk of the Closet in which he heads up the Ecclesiastical Household.
Bishop James has also paid tribute to the ministry and pastoral care which Cumbrian churches have offered since news of Her Majesty’s death was first announced.
In a personal reflection, issued ahead of the state funeral, he said: “I’m fully aware of the many services which have been taking place in churches across our county since we first learned of Her Majesty’s death and the many ways in which clergy and congregation members have given thanks for the Queen’s life and for our new King.
