Funeral Expense - Preacher

Exactly right. In as much as it may be a minister's "job", funerals and weddings both occur outside the "normal" business hours, so to speak, and in any other job might be equal to overtime! If you were not a member of a church and had to plan a service at a funeral home and the funeral planners suggested a minister for your service, it is normal to pay that minister between $100 and $250 for his or her services (depending on the above criteria as posted by claytonsassy).

 

I have administered weddings and funerals over the years and have never asked or expected anything for this service. A cash gift makes me uncomfortable, and I generally give that to the church.

A gift card to Lowes or Home Depot though is appreciated!!!

 

"I have administered weddings and funerals over the years and have never asked or expected anything for this service. A cash gift makes me uncomfortable, and I generally give that to the church.

A gift card to Lowes or Home Depot though is appreciated!!!"

Sorry but I do not understand this reasoning. You accept the gift card and use the $$$ for yourself. You receive cash and you give that to the church? What is the difference? How would the family of the deceased know you prefer a gift card. When a loved one dies the family is grieving and you want them to go shopping for a gift card?

 

Might be contract issues with the Church or tax issues.:?

 

ouch.

 

"Might be contract issues with the Church or tax issues."

So he accepts a gift card to get around either reason? I assume anyone performing funerals is a member of the Clergy. What message does this send?

 

probably the same message it sends that he's spending New Year's Eve in a bar.

 

Accepting cash is almost like charging for the service (I will clarify that I have never received anything for a funeral, only weddings. To be honest, families are in such an emotional state during the death of a loved one,I don't think many would even think about what they "owe" for a service. I talked with my own pastor this morning at early service and he stated that he had never received anything for a funeral either. Maybe its a cultural thing in the South?)

As for a wedding, I've never asked for compensation nor expected it. Many other clergy have told me that they never ask or expect it either. Not judging anyone who does accept or offer, just never been something I asked for in advance. I have been offered cash and turned it down, told them to put it in the offering plate at the next service they attended. Gift cards are more personal since they are made out to me, so I accept them.

Bottom line to me, there is not set amount, no right or wrong on the issue. I certainly wouldn't judge anyone on the issue for accepting or for offering. I personally think it is just what you are comfortable with.

 

You would give a tip out of appreciation for his job done (funeral), even though it is his job, just like you would tip a hairdresser, a waitress,etc. It is the preachers job, but do you know he his working 24/7 and is always there when anyone needs him... a tip is appreciated, they do not make that much money to start... probably less than schoolteachers who do not work 24/7 365 days, like a preacher.... $100. definitely sounds reasonable..

 

I can understand taking payment for a wedding, a planned happy event, but taking money from a family in their time of sorrow? Seems morbid to me! As long as you are a member of the church, there should be no compensation or gratuity expected. And its not a southern thing I assure you!

 

I've lived in NC my entire life and to be honest I've never heard of giving the minister money for a funeral. Is that a North Carolina thing...do they give money for funerals in other parts of the country???

 

When the Priest came to do my fathers service at the funeral home last month, my mom only gave him fifty dollars. I thought he should have gotten more since he drove in the rain all the way from Apex to Fuquay. He was very nice and did a good job and I think that is one of the more important factors that needs to be looked at.