While you've probably heard of an obituary, you might not have ever heard of a funeral resolution. Churches have been drafting these formal statements for decades. Tasked with writing a one, but not sure where to start? We have all the formatting tips you may need and sample funeral resolutions you can reference to help ease you through the process.
What Is a Funeral Resolution?
A funeral resolution is a document that formally recognizes the relationship that a deceased person and a church community shared. Typically, it's delivered at a funeral to honor someone who has passed by elaborating on their spiritual qualities and the good works they performed.
Religious institutions aren't the only ones who can compose a funeral resolution. Some civic groups release secular resolutions and deliver them in memorial services or civic events.
Two Funeral Resolution Templates
Given that congregations often share in much of the same spiritual work, you can typically use the same funeral resolution templates for many people. These editable templates will help you make sure that your funeral resolutions are finished in time for the service.
Informal Funeral Resolution Template
Friends and family perform informal resolutions at the funeral service. It's a more intimate account and may include Bible verses, quotes, poetry, or passages that held special meaning for the deceased.
Pastoral Funeral Resolution Template
A pastoral resolution is slightly different than an informal funeral resolution. A pastor or member of the clergy reads this document at the funeral service as opposed to a family member or friend of the person who's passed. Pastoral funeral resolutions are a more formal summary and include any formal tributes or memorial actions that the church will take to honor the person they lost.
Funeral Resolution Outline for Quick & Easy Formatting
Resolutions can be long biographical and professional narratives, but a more modern funeral resolution follows a simple formula:
- Title: This includes the name of the deceased.
- Introduction of Faith: This brief section states the person died and lived according to Godly or spiritual principles.
- Whereas Statements: These statements give the reasons for the resolution. Each statement begins with the word "Whereas..." and there are — at a minimum — two or three 'whereas' statements. Though the "whereas" of it all makes it seem like they need to be long, they're actually supposed to be succinct. The entire resolution shouldn't take more than two pages from start to finish.
- Therefore Statements - These are the actions the congregation will take to 'resolve' the death. These 'actions' might include ways in which the death may be viewed by those grieving or specific periods of mourning to be observed. The person delivering the funeral resolution comes up with these statements, usually in conjunction with the deceased person's family members or church. Limit your "Therefore" statements to one or two.
- Complimentary close: A simple "Respectfully submitted by..." statement will do. A Bible verse may be added here if the resolution hasn't included any scripture or poetry.
Be sure to make multiple copies of the complete funeral resolution, as a copy is usually given to the deceased's closest family members or heir(s).
Funeral Resolutions Help Good Works Be Remembered
For people whose lives were driven by faith, their devotion to good works and upholding their religious tenets deserve to be remembered. Funeral resolutions are the perfect way to acknowledge their impact on their congregation and wider community. From volunteering in the church nursery to donating to the local food pantry every week, good works shouldn't go unnoticed, and with funeral resolutions, they don't have to.
