If you’ve been asked to write a funeral resolution by the church of the deceased, you may not know exactly what is involved and what to write in a funeral resolution. It generally follows a very specific format, as outlined below in our example of a funeral resolution. Some congregations may allow you to submit an alternative version that is similar to an eulogy. As you can see in this sample, the name of the deceased is referred to quite often.
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Sample Funeral Resolution For A Pastor
It’s best to check with the Pastor or clergy at the church requesting the funeral resolution to be sure you include all the information that is required. There are 4 sections to a funeral resolution, which include the title, the statements, and the concluding paragraph. The following is an example of a traditional funeral resolution:
Church Resolution In Loving Memory of Jane W. Smith
No matter what your trials are, or how big your mountain seems;
The Lord is there to see you through; He’ll go to all extremes.
So if your cross seems hard to bear, and you know not what to do;
The One who loves you most of all will be there to see you through.
We, the members of Shiloh Community Church, want the family to know that our hearts are with you as we gather to bid a Christian good-bye to a sister and woman of faith, Mrs. Jane W. Smith, the mother of Lisa Anne Smith and the grandmother of Sam and Theresa Thomas who are also active members, participants, and willing workers for Christ.
WHEREAS, Jane W. Smith professed a hope in Christ in her early years of adulthood and was an active and regular supporter of her church.
WHEREAS, Jane W. Smith was a reverent woman of prayer who loved the Lord. A very loyal and faithful person who served her family to follow her example. She loved her family with a gentle, yet stern combination which only she possessed.
WHEREAS, not only is this a loss of a devoted mother, but also a confident counselor and closest of friends. A person who was always available to share an encouraging word and demonstrate strong support to those in need.
WHEREAS, the passing of our beloved sister in Christ is the will of God and there is a human tie that has been broken which bleeds the heart in agony and pain. We are encouraged and consoled in the words of Jesus who said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake them”.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we embrace the family because all of us have a common bond that will connect us for the rest of your lives. We can not replace Jane W. Smith, but will attempt to demonstrate her love for you.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a period of official mourning will be observed for 30 days by the setting aside of a special seat to acknowledge the passing of our precious sister Jane W. Smith.
To the family of Jane W. Smith, we know your loss is deep and your sorrow is great, but we want you to know that we share in your sorrow, but more importantly, we recognize that this loss is Heaven’s Gain.
When it is all over, we would like you to remember:
In case there’s a time when you just need some cheer,
In case there’s a problem you would like us to hear,
In case there’s a favor you would like us to do-
We’re here if you need us to help see you through.
Humbly submitted on this 2nd day of February 2007,
The Elders and Members of the Shiloh Community Church, Littletown, California
Pastor James Gravelli
How to Write Sample Funeral Resolution For A Pastor
When a pastor passes away, it is important for the church community to honor his life and ministry with a funeral resolution. A funeral resolution is a formal document that serves as a tribute to the deceased pastor, recounting his accomplishments, character traits, and impact on the church and community. Here are some tips on how to write a meaningful funeral resolution for a pastor:
1. Gather Information
– Start by gathering information about the pastor’s life, ministry, and contributions to the church.
– Speak to fellow church members, family members, and colleagues to gather stories and anecdotes about the pastor.
2. Outline the Resolution
– Begin the resolution with a brief introduction, stating the purpose of the document.
– Divide the resolution into sections such as background, ministry achievements, personal characteristics, and legacy.
– Use bullet points or numbered lists to organize the information in each section.
| Background | Ministry Achievements | Personal Characteristics | Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Date and place of birth | – Number of years in ministry | – Compassion | – Impact on the community |
| – Education and training | – Achievements in leadership | – Wisdom | – Spiritual legacy |
3. Write from the Heart
– When describing the pastor’s personal characteristics, use heartfelt language to convey his qualities and virtues.
– Share personal anecdotes or quotes from the pastor to illustrate his impact on the church and community.
4. Revise and Proofread
– After writing the resolution, revise it for clarity, coherence, and accuracy.
– Proofread the document for spelling and grammar errors before finalizing it for distribution.
In conclusion, writing a funeral resolution for a pastor is a meaningful way to honor his memory and legacy. By following these guidelines and using a heartfelt tone, you can create a tribute that pays homage to the pastor’s life and ministry.
What Is A Resolution In A Funeral
A funeral resolution is a document that’s read aloud at a funeral. It’s a formal declaration of the relationship between the deceased and their church or community organization. It honors the good works and/or spiritual commitments of the deceased.
Free Examples of Black Funeral Resolutions
We have come here this day for a number of reasons.
1. We are here today to pay our tribute and our respect to a man of God, our brother, ______________________________. Not only have people from this congregation and community gathered, but many ministers have come… ministers who have respected _______________________ as a minister and have loved him as a friend. To know _______________________ was to love him!
2. We are here today to show our love and support for ______________________’s very precious family. Not only have we sensed our own personal feelings of loss over __________________’s passing, but our hearts have been drawn toward them and will continue to be with them.
3. Finally, we are here today to seek and receive comfort. We would be less than honest if we said that our hearts have not ached over this situation. We are not too proud to acknowledge that we have come here today trusting that God will minister to our hearts and give us strength as we continue in our walk with Him.
It is our human nature to want to understand everything now, but TRUST requires that we lean and rely heavily on God even when things seem unclear.
Proverbs 3:5
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I’m not going to tell you not to cry or not to experience emotions. Emotions are God-given. They are a part of who we are.
Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Tears are the safety-valve that God built into us to help us at times like these. It’s OK to cry.
I’m not going to tell you today that you’ll never have questions come to you. But I will tell you this: There is something wonderful that you can focus on. Choose to focus on the things you know—things the Word of God declares.
We declare with Job… Job 19:25
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
We declare with Jesus… John 14:2-3
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
We declare with Paul…2 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 …We are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 1:21, 23
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better…
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We are going to move beyond the tears. We are going to move beyond our questions… because the Holy Spirit is here today to comfort and strengthen each and every heart! And he will continue to be with us as we continue to live for God.
An individual made the following statement: “The measure of a life is not in its duration but in its donation.”
When we think of ____________________’s donation… what he contributed… what he invested… we have much to be thankful for!!!
- Consider the investments of love and devotion that he made in his marriage with _________________.
- Consider the investments of godliness and nurturing that ______________________ made with into the lives of his children and grandchildren.
- Consider the investments of the Word of God that _______________________ made into the lives of so many people… not only members of this church, but all of the people, including ministers, that he poured his life into.
Let me say again that “The measure of a life is not in its duration but in its donation!”
Later this day, when all the words have been spoken, when all the songs have been sung, we will stand at the graveside and commit the body of our friend, _______________________________ to the keeping of this earth until the coming of the Lord, and we will commit his soul into the loving hands of the God he served… bringing an end to the final chapter of his earthly life.
But it will not be the end of his story, because the memory of his life and the influence of his life remains.
Because _____________________ committed his life to God and the work of God, He was energized by a power greater than this natural world understands.
We all knew _______________________ as a great friend and a wonderful pastor, but one of the things that caused me to so highly respect _____________________ was his great love for souls. In this sense, ____________________ was a real hero to me – he did have, and continues to have my highest respect.
_________________________’s life reminds me of a preacher that was on the Titanic…
There were a lot of notable, wealthy people on the Titanic in 1912. But the most notable passenger on the Titanic was someone that most of the world has never heard of before.
He was a man by the name of John Harper. He was a plain, ordinary Pastor from the city of Glasgow, Scotland. He had faithfully shepherded his congregation for 15 years. He was a fairly young minister, only 40 years old.
Moody Memorial Church in Chicago had invited him to come and preach a series of sermons. So he had accepted the invitation and had booked himself on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. As he boarded the ship he thought, “I will have plenty of time to prepare my sermons for this preaching series.”
But Pastor John had a bit of a problem staying in his room and studying because he had such a heart for people. It is told that the night before the Titanic sunk that John Harper was on the deck earnestly pleading and begging people to come to Christ.
He had given his life day-in and day-out to see people get into the spiritual lifeboat. And that night when the ship struck the iceberg, he was awakened. He got up and started making his way to the lifeboat, and he realized there wasn’t enough room for everyone.
So he started going from deck to deck crying out – “Women and children and the unsaved to the lifeboats.” He said, “Let’s get the non-Christians in first.” Now as he was doing this you could imagine the panic. Pastor John was one of those who eventually ended up in the freezing waters. He hung on to a wooden piece of debris floating in the water.
Some of the passengers because of the swirling currents of the sinking ship were being brought close to one another and then flung back apart. One of the men was brought into close proximity with John Harper, and John cried out, “Sir, are you a Christian?” And the man answered simply, “no.” And the current took him away into the darkness. A few minutes later by God’s providence that same man was brought back into John Harper’s sight, and John asked him again, “Sir, are you saved yet – have you accepted Christ?” And the man said, “No, I can’t honestly say that I am.”
Apparently that was the last thing John Harper ever said on this earth. He lost his grip on the piece of debris, sunk down into the Atlantic Ocean, and died.
One of the few people pulled out of the icy waters by one of the ships that sped to the scene was the man John Harper was pleading with to accept Christ. He testified that he did accept Christ that very night, and he settled in Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. He was often asked to speak and give his testimony and he would proudly step up and say, “I’m John Harper’s last convert.”
When I think of _____________________, I think of the verse in Revelation that says:
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit,” that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
I have no doubt that _______________________ has already met people in heaven who have thanked him for leading them to the Lord. I have no doubt that others in the future will come up to him in heaven and express their gratitude for him having led them to the Lord.
His work on this earth was of eternal value, and because of that, he will have eternal reward.
This Memorial Service is not really for _______________________. He is in Heaven. This is a time for us who are yet on this earth.
He’s reached the ultimate destination of the universe.
We say that he has “departed,” but God says that he has “arrived.”
God sees things from such a different perspective than we do. God never sees His children die. He simply sees them coming home.
The real questions we face today don’t really pertain to _______________________. He has arrived.
The real questions today have to do with us.
- What are we going to do?
- What are we going to focus on?
Dwight L. Moody, the great Evangelist, may have one day lived amidst question marks, but he discovered the glorious secret of complete trust in God. His last days were wonderfully spent amongst exclamation points!
Dwight L. Moody said, “Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone higher, that is all — out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned into His glorious body. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die, but that which is born of the Spirit shall live forever.”
A few hours before entering the ‘Homeland,’ Dwight L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him. Awakening from sleep, he said “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.”
His son was standing by his bedside and said, “No, no, father, you are dreaming.”
“No,” said Mr. Moody, “I am not dreaming. I have been within the gates. I have seen the children’s faces.”
A short time elapsed…and he spoke again, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”
Contrary to what we would have liked, our pastor and our friend has taken an earlier flight, but we still share a common destination.
His race ended earlier than we anticipated, but we still have our race to run, and David would not have it any other way than that we give our very best for the Kingdom of God.
I will deeply miss my friend, _______________________. But I rejoice this day that he is with my Savior, Jesus. And in honor of my friend, I say…
Church Funeral Resolution
A funeral resolution is a document that’s read aloud at a funeral. It’s a formal declaration of the relationship between the deceased and their church or community organization. It honors the good works and/or spiritual commitments of the deceased.
Here’s how to write one if you’ve never done it before. For more help with the unfamiliar tasks you might be undertaking for the first time after losing a loved one, check out our post-loss checklist.
6 Quick Funeral or Church Resolution Writing Tips
Here are some quick tips so you can write the best resolution for the deceased:
Contact the church or organization for help
Churches and organizations may have slightly different resolution templates. Find out what formatting the deceased’s organization or home church uses.
It may even be able to provide you examples of resolutions written for others.
Interview people to gather information
If you’re writing a resolution on behalf of a church organization, contact the designated spokesperson for the family.
This will allow you to add personal details about the deceased in addition to speaking about their contributions.
Include the following sections:
Title: The title should be one line centered at the top of the page. It should contain the name of the deceased: Resolution in Loving Memory of Dottie North.
Introduction: The introduction is a single line that acknowledges the deceased’s contributions to the organization. Resolutions done for churches sometimes call this section the “Introduction of Faith.”
Whereas statements: Every resolution contains several “whereas” statements. Each statement is preceded by the word “whereas,” then contains a statement about the deceased. These statements are facts about the deceased and his or her relationship to the church or organization in question.
They typically go in order. The first whereas statement deals with the general loss to the church or organization. The next statement covers the deceased’s notable interests in the organization or church. One or more statements dive into the deceased’s interests outside the church or organization. The final statement lists the positive attributes of the deceased and includes his or her full name.
Resolutions: In this section, the church or organization will outline what they commit to doing to honor the deceased. This could include the dedication of a portrait or the establishment of a scholarship. Resolutions are sometimes referred to as “therefore statements.”
Official statement: This final section, also known as the acknowledgment or proclamation, offers condolences to the family. It’s typically signed by officers of the church or another issuing organization.
Submit the funeral resolution
Once you’ve concluded writing the funeral resolution, submit it to the church or organization. You should also give a copy to the family of the deceased.
Funeral or Church Resolution Examples
Here are some examples of resolutions that churches or other organizations might write. Again, this format may vary depending on who presents it. When in doubt, consult with the organization in question about its preferred formatting.
COVID-19 tip: If you chose to use a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs, you can still share the funeral resolution with your online guests. Coordinate with your planning team and ensure you have the right mics and speakers to accommodate everyone.
For a mother or grandmother
Resolution in Loving Memory of Robin Jarvis
We, the members of Foothills Unitarian Church, pay our respects to our sister in faith, Robin Jarvis.
Whereas Robin was integral in uplifting the congregation of the church.
Whereas Robin was a tireless leader in group Bible study.
Whereas Robin served the community outside the church by serving food to the homeless and collecting school supplies for children in foster care.
Whereas Robin committed to creating more beauty in the world through her painting and piano-playing talents.
Whereas Robin Jarvis was a kind, compassionate, and loving human being.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Foothills Unitarian Church will light our chalice in Robin’s memory.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Foothills Unitarian Church will continue Robin’s great works.
The Foothills Unitarian Church of Tucson offers its sincerest condolences to the family of Robin Jarvis and shares a verse from her favorite poem: “Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul/And sings the tune without the words/And never stops at all.”
Humbly submitted by the officers of Foothills Unitarian Church of Tucson.
For a dad or grandfather
Resolution in Remembrance of Dennis Aston
We, the members of American Baptist Church, pay our respects to our devoted parishioner, Dennis Aston.
Whereas Dennis was the heart of our church community.
Whereas Dennis was integral in establishing the worship music program in church.
Whereas Dennis shared his music with the community at large by providing low-cost lessons to families in need.
Whereas Dennis Aston was a generous and talented individual.
Therefore, be it resolved that the American Baptist Church will establish a music scholarship in Dennis’ name.
Therefore, be it resolved that the American Baptist Church will preserve and build on the worship music program that Dennis created.
The American Baptist Church offers its sincerest condolences to the family of Dennis Aston and dedicates this Bible verse to him: Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Humbly submitted by the officers of the American Baptist Church of Fort Worth.
For an adult without children
Resolution in Loving Memory of Josie Radcliffe
We, the members of the Palm Street Library, lost a valued member upon the death of our head librarian, Josie Radcliffe.
- Whereas Josie was beloved by library patrons of all ages.
- Whereas Josie established guidelines for promoting diversity and inclusivity in reading programs.
- Whereas Josie volunteered her time outside of the library and provided free literacy classes to adults in need.
- Whereas Josie used her love of reading as inspiration to write her own short stories.
- Whereas Josie Radcliffe was committed to the principles of social justice.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Palm Street Library will designate our reading room as the Josie Radcliffe Memorial Room.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Palm Street Library will appoint a diversity coordinator to continue Josie’s efforts.
The Palm Street Library of Monterey offers its condolences to the family of Josie Radcliffe and shares a favorite quote of hers from Toni Morrison: “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.”
Respectfully submitted by the staff of the Palm Street Library.
For a child who died
Resolution in Remembrance of Chloe Irwin
We, the staff of Bennett Episcopal School, pay our respects to our gifted student, Chloe Irwin.
Whereas Chloe was well-loved by her teachers and peers.
Whereas Chloe was an unparalleled leader in the school.
Whereas Chloe was a loving sister and daughter and a friend to anyone in need of a friend.
Whereas Chloe was a well-rounded athlete who excelled in basketball, tennis, and long-distance running.
Whereas Chloe Irwin demonstrated brilliance and compassion beyond her years.
Therefore, be it resolved that Bennett Episcopal School will establish a scholarship in Chloe Irwin’s name.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Bennett Episcopal School will dedicate a bench to Chloe Irwin in the Bennett Episcopal School student garden.
Bennett Episcopal School offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of Chloe Irwin and shares a verse from her favorite song: “When the sharpest words wanna cut me down/I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out/This is brave, this is proof/This is who I’m meant to be, this is me.”
Respectfully submitted by the staff of Bennett Episcopal School.
For a prominent community or public figure
Resolution in Loving Memory of Dr. Theodore Green
We, the members of Trinity Lutheran Church, pay our respects to dedicated parishioner Dr. Theodore Green.
Whereas Theodore was integral in contributing to the spiritual and physical wellness of his fellow parishioners.
Whereas Theodore was a faithful attendee of the church.
Whereas Theodore served his fellow parishioners and the community at large by volunteering his services at a free clinic.
Whereas Theodore was a gifted and engaging storyteller.
Whereas Theodore treated his responsibility as a healer with the utmost respect.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Trinity Lutheran Church will encourage parishioners to visit people in hospice care in need of companionship in honor of Dr. Theodore Green.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Trinity Lutheran Church will continue Dr. Theodore Green’s great works.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Denver offers its sincerest condolences to the family of Dr. Theodore Green and shares a Bible verse in his honor: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Humbly submitted by the officers of Trinity Lutheran Church.