How to Compensate a Pastor for a Funeral

It's customary to pay your pastor after the funeral has concluded. The honorarium is usually paid in check form; an envelope with the pastor's name on it is an appropriate method of delivery. According to the Emily Post Institute, it's also a good idea to give a thank you card that expresses your appreciation. You can deliver the card and honorarium at the same time. If you're not up to the task, you can also request that the funeral director give the pastor the honorarium.

The amount that you give your pastor as an honorarium is completely up to your discretion. The Emily Post Institute recommends between $100 and $300, but they also note that it's all right to check with the funeral home or place of worship about what the normal rate is in your area or at your church. The pastor himself may be uncomfortable quoting you a price, so ask another educated party instead.

If the funeral was held at a funeral home, you may be able to request a cash advance from the funeral home for the honorarium. A cash advance means that the funeral home covers the cost of the honorarium and then adds it to your bill. It's not a gift -- you will have to pay it back, but a cash advance can help you out in a bind. Be aware of any fees associated with the advance if you decide to ask for one.

When deciding how much to spend on an honorarium, it's important to consider personal finances as well as the amount of time the pastor spent preparing for the funeral. If the pastor reached out to the family immediately after the death and spent a great deal of time consoling them, a larger gift may be warranted than if the family doesn't know the pastor. Similarly, it's appropriate to consider the time a pastor spent helping the family select the funeral music and other arrangements.