? for Pastors and Ministers

Esther · #1 09-19-2007, 05:44 PM

When as a pastor/minister you officate at a wedding or funeral is it a custom to pay an honorium or fee?

OR do you have a set fee for these services?

And IF the person no longer goes to your church and say they wanted you to do a family members funeral would you charge the same thing as a member IF you do indeed charge.

Also, assuming there is a fee or honorium what would be the average fee that would be approriate?

Since my nephews have their mothers funeral today I got to thinking about this and would like to be prepared in the event I would need to know.

I believe a man is worthy of his hire, so please don't look as this as trying to find fault, because that is NOT what this is about.

I would like to do what is considered right.

Thanks for responding.

Also, might be interesting to see if the different areas of the states or the same or different.

Nahum · #2 09-19-2007, 05:59 PM

Sister, I cannot imagine a man of God "charging" a saint of God for conducting a wedding or funeral. This is what I do, it's who I am. That being said, many people are kind and considerate and choose to bless their pastor with a monetary gift for performing such a service.

Scott Hutchinson · #3 09-19-2007, 06:04 PM

I have only done three weddings but I did not have a set fee, none of these were church folks ,but they all kind in giving me an offering.
Folks ask me what do I charge? I just tell them I don't charge anything.

Old Paths · #4 09-19-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

When as a pastor/minister you officate at a wedding or funeral is it a custom to pay an honorium or fee?

OR do you have a set fee for these services?

And IF the person no longer goes to your church and say they wanted you to do a family members funeral would you charge the same thing as a member IF you do indeed charge.

Also, assuming there is a fee or honorium what would be the average fee that would be approriate?

Since my nephews have their mothers funeral today I got to thinking about this and would like to be prepared in the event I would need to know.

I believe a man is worthy of his hire, so please don't look as this as trying to find fault, because that is NOT what this is about.

I would like to do what is considered right.

Thanks for responding.

Also, might be interesting to see if the different areas of the states or the same or different.

Some questions.

Was the funeral at the church where the minister pastor's?

Did the minister have to drive a 100 miles for the service?

Does the minister work on a public job and would have to take off for the service?

Sometimes the funeral home puts the "minister's fee" on the funeral bill and passes it on to the family.

#5 09-19-2007, 06:28 PM

I always charged a set fee of $1000.00 dollars.

tamor · #6 09-19-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliveinhim

I always charged a set fee of $1000.00 dollars.

I notice you said "charged" as in past tense. I would gather that is why you don't perform them any longer........

Esther · #7 09-19-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Paths

Some questions.

Was the funeral at the church where the minister pastor's?

Did the minister have to drive a 100 miles for the service?

Does the minister work on a public job and would have to take off for the service?

Sometimes the funeral home puts the "minister's fee" on the funeral bill and passes it on to the family.

But does he pass it on to the minister?

Esther · #8 09-19-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliveinhim

I always charged a set fee of $1000.00 dollars.

Do you take that in installments?

Steve Epley · #9 09-19-2007, 08:22 PM

I have never charged for either however if a pastor did hold down a secular job and had to take off it would be nice to make up for the loss. I just have never charged. I have preached many funerals of folks not in the church but I do NOT do wedding for folks not in the church period.

Esther · #10 09-20-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I have never charged for either however if a pastor did hold down a secular job and had to take off it would be nice to make up for the loss. I just have never charged. I have preached many funerals of folks not in the church but I do NOT do wedding for folks not in the church period.

I agree.

What do you think would be a fair amount?