The Tribute Journal
Funeral Resolution Examples: 8 Samples to Copy
A funeral resolution is a formal written tribute from an organization the deceased belonged to, most often their church. It records their membership and service, gives thanks for their life, and extends sympathy to the family. It is usually read at the service, printed in the program, and presented to the family as a keepsake.
Altogether Funeral describes it as "a written tribute read during a service that recognizes the connection between the deceased and a church or faith-based organization." Many churches prepare one as a matter of course. The Word Church homegoing page puts it simply: "Yes, a resolution will be provided." Resolutions are a central part of the homegoing service tradition, though any organization can write one.
The format: whereas and be it resolved
A funeral resolution borrows the shape of any formal resolution. As Wikipedia's entry on resolutions) notes, resolutions "are often preceded by 'Whereas...' clauses that express reasons or justifications for the ensuing resolution." In a funeral resolution, the whereas clauses tell the person's story and the resolved clauses say what the organization will do in response.
- A title. "Resolution of Respect for…" or "Resolution in Loving Memory of…".
- Whereas clauses, usually three. The first records the death, the second the person's membership and service, the third their character and influence.
- Be it resolved. What the organization affirms: thanks to God for their life, a commitment to carry on their work.
- Be it further resolved. That sympathy be extended to the family, and that a copy be presented to them and kept in the organization's records.
- Signatures. Usually the pastor and the church clerk, or the president and secretary of the organization.
1. For a church member
Resolution of Respect for Sister [Full Name]
WHEREAS, it has pleased Almighty God in His infinite wisdom to call home our beloved sister, [Full Name], on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, Sister [Name] united with [Church Name] in [Year] and served faithfully for [Number] years as a member of the [Ministry] and a friend to all who knew her; and
WHEREAS, her kind spirit, her steady faith and her willing hands blessed this congregation in countless ways;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of [Church Name] give thanks to God for her life and service, and extend our deepest sympathy to her family;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family, printed in the funeral program, and placed in the records of the church.
Respectfully submitted, [Pastor's Name], Pastor, and [Clerk's Name], Church Clerk
2. For a deacon
Resolution in Loving Memory of Deacon [Full Name]
WHEREAS, God in His wisdom has called from labor to reward our faithful servant, Deacon [Full Name], who entered eternal rest on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, Deacon [Name] was ordained to the diaconate of [Church Name] in [Year] and served with humility, visiting the sick, comforting the bereaved and caring for the church family; and
WHEREAS, his wise counsel and prayerful spirit strengthened the Deacon Ministry and all who served beside him;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Deacon Ministry and the members of [Church Name] honor his memory and commit ourselves to carry on the work he loved;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife, [Name], his children and his entire family, and that a copy of this resolution be presented to them and kept in the church records.
Respectfully submitted, the Deacon Ministry of [Church Name]
3. For a church mother
Resolution of Respect for Mother [Full Name]
WHEREAS, the Lord has called home our beloved Mother [Full Name], a pillar of [Church Name] for more than [Number] years, on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, Mother [Name] served on the Mothers' Board with grace, prayed faithfully for this congregation, and was a wise and loving guide to generations of young women in the church; and
WHEREAS, her life was a living sermon of patience, faith and love;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mothers' Board and members of [Church Name], thank God for the gift of her life and her example;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our love and sympathy to her family, and that a copy of this resolution be given to them and recorded in the minutes of the church.
Respectfully submitted, [Name], President, Mothers' Board
4. For a choir member
Resolution in Loving Memory of Sister [Full Name]
WHEREAS, God has called our dear sister in song, [Full Name], to join the heavenly choir on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, [Name] lifted her voice in the [Choir Name] of [Church Name] for [Number] years, faithful at every rehearsal and never singing for her own glory; and
WHEREAS, her music carried this congregation through seasons of joy and sorrow alike;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Music Ministry of [Church Name] gives thanks for her gift and her faithfulness;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, and that a copy of this resolution be presented to them as a token of our love.
Respectfully submitted, [Name], Minister of Music
5. For a pastor
Resolution of Respect for Pastor [Full Name]
WHEREAS, God in His sovereign will has called home our beloved shepherd, Pastor [Full Name], on [Date], after [Number] years of faithful service to [Church Name]; and
WHEREAS, Pastor [Name] preached the Word without compromise, baptized, married and buried our families, and built up this congregation in faith and in love; and
WHEREAS, the fruit of his ministry lives on in the lives of the people he served;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of [Church Name] give thanks to God for the gift of his leadership and pledge to continue the work he began among us;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, [Name], and his family, and that this resolution be presented to them and preserved in the permanent records of the church.
Respectfully submitted, the Board of Trustees and the Deacon Ministry of [Church Name]
6. For an usher
Resolution of Respect for Brother [Full Name]
WHEREAS, the Lord has seen fit to call home our brother, [Full Name], a faithful member of the Usher Ministry, on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, for [Number] years Brother [Name] stood at the doors of [Church Name] to greet every member and visitor with a warm handshake and a ready smile; and
WHEREAS, he served with dignity and quiet devotion, and the house of God was a more welcoming place because of him;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Usher Ministry honors his memory and gives thanks for his years of service;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our sympathy be extended to his family and that a copy of this resolution be presented to them.
Respectfully submitted, [Name], President, Usher Ministry
7. For a sorority or fraternity
Resolution in Memory of [Full Name]
WHEREAS, the members of the [Chapter Name] Chapter of [Organization] were saddened to learn of the passing of our sister, [Full Name], on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, [Name] was initiated in [Year] and served this chapter with distinction, including as [Office], and gave freely of her time to its service and scholarship programs; and
WHEREAS, her commitment to sisterhood and community service will remain an example to every member;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the [Chapter Name] Chapter mourns the loss of a cherished sister and celebrates a life of service;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, and that a copy of this resolution be presented to them and entered into the records of the chapter.
Respectfully submitted, [Name], Chapter President
8. For an employer, union or civic group
Resolution in Memory of [Full Name]
WHEREAS, the [Organization Name] learned with deep sadness of the death of [Full Name] on [Date]; and
WHEREAS, [Name] served this organization for [Number] years as [Role], and was respected by colleagues for [his/her] integrity, good humor and dedication to the people we serve; and
WHEREAS, [his/her] work leaves a lasting mark on this organization and on everyone who worked beside [him/her];
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the [Organization Name] honors the memory of [Full Name] and records its gratitude for [his/her] years of service;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our sincere condolences be extended to [his/her] family, and that a copy of this resolution be presented to them.
Respectfully submitted, [Name], [Title]
How resolutions are used at the service
- Read aloud. A representative of the organization reads it during the service, usually after the acknowledgements and before the obituary in the order of service. When several arrive, many churches read only one or two.
- Printed in the program. Resolutions that are not read aloud are usually printed in full, which is one reason homegoing programs run to eight pages or more. The e-WV encyclopedia lists "elaborate programs" among the hallmarks of the tradition.
- Presented to the family. The signed original, often framed, is given to the family to keep.
Tips for writing one
- Keep the whereas clauses factual. Years of membership, ministries served, offices held. The warmth comes from specific detail, not adjectives.
- Check every name and date with the family before it is printed. A misspelled name in the program cannot be taken back.
- Keep it to one page. Three whereas clauses and two resolved clauses are plenty.
- Leave out the cause of death. A resolution honors a life, not the way it ended.
- Send it early. The program is usually finalized a day or two before the service, so a late resolution may only be read, not printed.
Common questions
What is a funeral resolution?
A formal written tribute from an organization the deceased belonged to, usually their church. It uses whereas clauses to record their life and service and resolved clauses to give thanks and extend sympathy to the family. It is read at the service, printed in the program and given to the family.
Who writes a resolution for a funeral?
The organization the person belonged to. In a church, the clerk, secretary or a committee usually drafts it and the pastor signs it. For a sorority, lodge or employer, an officer writes it and the president signs. The family only confirms the facts.
Is the resolution read at the funeral?
Usually, yes. A representative of the organization reads it during the service, often after the acknowledgements. When several resolutions arrive, many churches read only one or two aloud and print the rest in the program.
What is the difference between a resolution and an obituary?
The obituary is written by the family and tells the whole life story. A resolution is written by an organization and speaks only to the person's place in that organization: their membership, service and character, followed by the organization's sympathy to the family.
How long should a funeral resolution be?
One page. Three whereas clauses, two resolved clauses and the signatures are the standard shape, which takes about a minute to read aloud and fits comfortably on a program page.
Who receives the resolution?
The family. The signed original, often framed, is presented to them, a copy is printed in the program, and the organization keeps a copy in its records.
