Tip Minister at Funeral?

[JustHolly]

My grandmother passed away yesterday.

There is a small graveside service tomorrow for family at her wishes. This is the first funeral my mother has had to plan. My grandmother was active in the church, but has not been there for several years.

Do we tip the minister who does the graveside service? How much?

Thanks for your help!

 

[mommasita]

I am very sorry to hear about your Grandmother's death

Yes, you tip, at least here. Our priests are almost bold in asking for it, calling it a donation. I am not sure on the amount.

 

[dundee10]

Tip? As in 15-20% of the funeral cost?

No. However, it would be very appropriate to write the pastor a thank-you note and include an honorarium ($50-100).

 

[babytrees]

I am an Office Manager at a United Methodist Church. While there is no actual fee for our members I am asked constantly how much to give them.
The average they get is $100.

 

[babytrees]

Tip? As in 15-20% of the funeral cost?

No. However, it would be very appropriate to write the pastor a thank-you note and include an honorarium ($50-100).

I should have mentioned that it is called an honorarium and musicians also will get them.

 

[mommasita]

Tip? As in 15-20% of the funeral cost?

No. However, it would be very appropriate to write the pastor a thank-you note and include an honorarium ($50-100).

Basically a tip IMHO. Tax free also

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

My grandmother passed away yesterday.

There is a small graveside service tomorrow for family at her wishes. This is the first funeral my mother has had to plan. My grandmother was active in the church, but has not been there for several years.

Do we tip the minister who does the graveside service? How much?

Thanks for your help!

I am a pastor and have done many funerals through the years, some for people I know and some for folks who have been strangers to me. I have never asked for payment, but many families (I'm thinking mostly of people outside the church who have enlisted my services) will give me something. FWIW, I conducted a private graveside ceremony for a family from out of town recently and they paid me $100.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother's death. Blessings to you and yours.

 

[JustHolly]

Thanks for your quick replies. I'll pass the word along to my mom.

I remembered that DH and I "tipped" or "made a donation" to the Priest who did our wedding. He happily took it. We were married in Key West and were not members of that church. It was the least we could do to make a donation.

That's when I realized that we should probably do the same thing tomorrow at the service.


Thanks again everyone! I can always count on the DIS for quick information and good advice! You guys are the best!

 

[DebbieB]

I gave the pastor $100 for my mother's services at a funeral home and cemetary. I didn't think of it as a "tip" but as a "donation" to the church.

 

[darlak]

I wish I had seen this a couple of weeks ago. I gave the pastor who did my brother's graveside-only service $50. He was a former pastor at my church and a personal friend of ours. Would it be really tacky to send him a thank-you note now and include another $50?

 

[ksjayhawks]

Check with the funeral home that is handling the arrangements to be sure that this is not included in their services. The one my family uses includes honorariums for the organist, vocalist, and pastor in the fees that they collect (they always discuss the amount with you) and they take care of giving the money out. I would hate to see you pay double.

Sorry about your loss.