There is no fixed amount that you should pay a pastor for officiating a funeral service, as it varies depending on several factors such as the pastor’s standard fee, the denomination, regional customs, and the specific arrangements made with the church or the pastor.
As a starting point, consider these guidelines:
- Honorarium: It is customary to offer an honorarium to the pastor for their time and effort in conducting the funeral service. This can range anywhere from $100 to $300, with the average being around $150-$250. However, this amount can be more or less depending on your specific situation and the factors mentioned above.
- Travel expenses: If the pastor has to travel a significant distance to officiate the funeral, it is appropriate to reimburse them for their travel expenses, such as mileage, accommodations, and meals.
- Additional services: If the pastor provides additional services such as counseling, a wake or visitation service, or a graveside service, you may want to offer additional compensation for their time.
When considering additional compensation for counseling, wakes, visitation services, and graveside services, the appropriate amount will still depend on factors such as regional customs, the pastor’s standard fee, and the denomination. However, here are some general guidelines for each additional service:
- Counseling: If the pastor provides pre- or post-funeral counseling, you may want to offer an additional honorarium of around $50 to $100 per session, depending on the length and complexity of the counseling provided.
- Wake or visitation service: If the pastor leads or participates in a wake or visitation service, consider an additional honorarium of $50 to $150. This amount may vary based on the duration and the role the pastor plays in the service.
- Graveside service: If the pastor conducts a separate graveside service, an additional honorarium of $50 to $150 is appropriate. The exact amount will depend on factors like the length of the service, travel expenses, and the level of involvement of the pastor.
It is important to remember that many pastors serve out of a sense of vocation and ministry, and their primary concern is likely to be providing comfort and support to the bereaved family, rather than their own financial gain. If you are unsure about what to offer, it is always best to ask the pastor or the church office for guidance on their standard fees or suggested donations for funeral services.
I would also ask people to remember that though we pastors do not want to leave families without support during times of bereavement, this is also how we make our living. If you are not a church member and a person regularly tithing in a congregation it would be a good idea to contribute more than the suggested amounts on this page as many churches are shrinking and closing their doors. If you would want to turn to a pastor when you need them, please be sure to support them so that they can be available for you.