$100-$200 bucks is about right.

You can always go straight to the horse’s mouth and ask the pastor or the church secretary.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
The funeral director tried to double charge us for services. That is something that you never forget. My father had prepaid. My uncle would not take money for a service. I consider accepting money to be in poor taste.

I'm not saying the clergy's time isn't valuable but if a member has been going to that place of worship for years, I think it's kinda poor taste to charge considering the member has likely donated hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the years. But outside of certain circumstances such as there being travel or a stay at a hotel, etc., I think some form of reimbursement would be appropriate.

I actually think at a minimum the offering should be at least $200.00 When I was still working as a funeral director 8 years ago, the offering was $100.00, unless they had a set fee. For instance, Rabbi's in the Baltimore area are getting around a thousand dollars for a service.
Like everything else, the cost of living has gone up and up. If the minister doesn't want an honorarium, then make a donation to their church.

As a funny aside, I remember a Priest who would not waive the Mass offering for a funeral. Until he found out the deceased was leaving the church $5000.00. All of a sudden, the fee was waived.

I've never heard of Clergy actually " charging " for their services . That's just wrong in so many ways .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I've never heard of Clergy actually " charging " for their services . That's just wrong in so many ways .

Not really. Families that don't go to church and request a minister for services will pay for one.

quote:

Originally posted by BigCity:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I've never heard of Clergy actually " charging " for their services . That's just wrong in so many ways .

Not really. Families that don't go to church and request a minister for services will pay for one.

Well sure they should expect to give the Clergyman something . I'm saying that I never heard of anyone " setting a price " .

I guess I should clarify my post a bit. My father pastors a small Baptist church. He’s never received a salary from the church. Typically he receives a “love offering” of $300 per month to cover fuel costs etc which he typically puts back in the collection plate. He is now retired but worked for the post office for 30 years or so. Before he retired he would sometimes have to take a day off to perform the service for folks. Again he never charged anyone. Typically he was asked to perform services for members of the church, friends, or relatives. Sometimes he would be asked to perform a service for someone he didn’t know. That was tricky because he preferred to speak about the person and he didn’t like using secondhand information about the deceased. He’s also very traditional so he preaches a sermon at the funeral much like he would at church. Typically the deceased is a Christian and they want that sermon preached so that any of their loved ones in attendance that don’t attend church will hear something that will lead them to church.

In the case of my FIL I believe the honorarium offered was $1000. He and his family have been closely involved in this very small very old church for 50 years, and they have always been generous donors. He was career Navy and an Annapolis graduate, and he had very specific requests for the service, of which this was one.

I think much of this varies on whether or not your denomination has "full-time" or "Part-Time" clergy - and especially on whether or not the family/deceased is actually part of the church.

I know we've made "in memoriam" gifts to the church - I'm not sure if we ever paid any "honorariums".

We did cover the expenses for the minister to travel, etc.

In rural northeast PA, the standard rate for a funeral honorarium is $250.00.

If you don’t go to any church, you’re going to need to talk to someone to do the service. Part of that conversation would be asking how much. If the deceased went to a church, I’d expect them to do it for free and the church will even have refreshments after the memorial service if the service was held in their church. We’ve also ask pastors we knew over the years to do the service for someone. We didn’t give them an honorarium as we knew them. It’s like asking a friend for a favor.

I work for a Catholic church. When families come in to schedule a Funeral, or Memorial service the cost covers not just the stipend for the priest, but also the music ministry, the administrative work, and the cost of use of the church. To most people it may seem like funeral services should be less expensive on the church end but it is not a big money maker for the Parish.

I am thinking that 35 years
Of donations pretty much covers an hour of yadda yadda yadda.

I know things are done differently based upon each circumstance. With that in mind, I find this topic interesting. My church has a lay clergy and every aspect of a funeral service is free worldwide. This includes the building, church leaders conducting the funeral (even if they take time off from work), music, and a luncheon provided to the family after the service.

Pshhhh...clergy.

I'd rather have family and friends stand up to speak then have a good feast afterwards to send the departed off in good spirits.

Lost both parents the past couple years. I think it was $2-300 for the pastor and organist.

At our church there is no charge. Make a donation if you want to, but not expected or required.

We decided to forego a funeral service , wake , obituary , everything . We plan on being cremated . My ashes will be spread in a National Forest where I have camped since I was a child . My wife's ashes will be interred alongside of her mother . Family members are welcome to attend . Minimal expenses . No Clergy .