Here’s a sample of resolutions for funeral services.  This one is for a Christian Sister who was a devoted Mother. It opens with a short and simple funeral poem.

It also has multiple justifications ( “whereas” statements) and demonstrates the proper way to format multiple resolutions. Although for a Mother, this resolution format can easily be an example of a church resolution of a deceased member of either gender.

Would you like to provide a special tribute to remember Mother? Give a Living Legacy with a Memorial Tree from Treegivers.com or maybe an uplifting tribute Web site from Christian Memorials. Lots of people use these as special resolutions.

We have also provided a printable form of this Church Funeral Resolution for Mother. 

Church Resolution of Respect

for

Sister Bobbie Joe 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 Progressive Baptist Church, want the family to know that our hearts are with you as we gather to bid a Christian good-bye to a valiant woman, Mrs. Bobbie Joe Smith, the mother and mother-in-law of Sandra and Johnny Jones and the grandmother of Monica, Amy, Debra, and Bobby Jones who are all very active members, participants, and willing workers for Christ. 

 WHEREAS, Sister Bobbie Joe professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was an active and regular supporter of her church.

 WHEREAS, Sister Bobbie Joe was a reverent woman who loved the Lord. A very independent person who would perform any tasks and instilled in 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.

WHEREAS, the passing of our beloved Sister 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 Sister Bobbie Joe, 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 Bobbie Joe.

To the family, 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 25^th day of January 2008,

The Officers and Members of the Progressive Baptist Church, Hendrix, Arkansas,

 Reverend O. W. Allen, Senior Pastor

 

A copy of this Church Resolution will be given to the Family and another copy will be recorded in the church archives.

 Most of the information used in a resolution can be obtained during a brief interview with the family and church members familiar with the deceased. Here is an example of the proper format to use for a church funeral resolution:

It has five main parts,

1.  Title
2. Introduction
3. WHEREAS Statements
4. Resolutions
5. Official Statement

 Title

 The Title for the Resolution is centered on the top of the page.  Something like:”Resolution of Respect for deceased name ” or “Resolution in Loving Memory of deceased name”

 Introduction

 1. The introduction usually begins with some type of acknowledgement of the deceased’s relationship to God. Such as,

a. ”Since it has pleased Almighty God to take our beloved brother/sister on to his reward where he/she will join that great cloud on witnesses in the heavens”

 b. ”There is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one whose full life was ended when he/she was called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan.”

 c. ”According to his tender mercy, God, who is infinite in his wisdom, has seen fit to move from our midst our beloved brother/sister in Christ by means of death on __________. “

 2.  Sometimes a short funeral poem or bible scripture is read.  You can find these with a little research.  Usually they are 4 -12 lines in length.  If the deceased had one that you know of then please use it.    Otherwise do a little research for some favorite funeral poems to use.  Many times the family has one that they like.

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WHEREAS statements  (“Reasons/Justifications”)

In this section, you establish the reasons or justifications for issuing the funeral resolution.  Each reason begins with a separate “Whereas”phrase.  There is no limit for the number of Whereas sections, but it should keep the overall Resolution within 1-2 pages.

 This is where significant accomplishments of the deceased are listed.  Examples include:

1.  WHEREAS, our brother accepted a hope in Christ at an early age and demonstrated throughout his life a sincere and obedient walk with God.
2.  WHEREAS, deceased’s name, was a faithful usher for over 30 years who without murmur or complaint dutifully served at his post.
3.  WHEREAS,  our beloved brother was a community leader and businessman who loved and supported his friends and neighbors.  He was an example of trustworthy and honest business.

 The Church Resolution can also reference support and encouragement for the family.  Examples include:

1.  WHEREAS,  the passing of our beloved brother has left us with a broken heart, we acknowledge and accept the will of God.  We know our hearts bleed with sorrow, but are comforted by knowing God will not put more on us than we can bear.
2.  WHEREAS,  our brother loved to sing praises and offer encouraging words to many who were downtrodden.  He will be missed but not forgotten.

Oftentimes, a favorite bible passage is used here as well.  Here’s an example of a funeral bible reading to use;

 WHEREAS, we believe the words of Jesus in John 14 that encourages us to ” Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  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. 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.”

 If the deceased did not demonstrate a support of the church because they were too young, (such as an infant death) or not a regular church attendee (i.e. backslider), then it is appropriate to reference the family’s relationship as justification.  Examples include:

1. WHEREAS, deceased name was part of a loving and caring family who accepts the will of a soverign God in the passing of their loved one.
2.  WHEREAS, deceased name, was raised up in a God-fearing home.

  

Want to offer a unique resolution? 

How about an uplifting tribute Web site like Christian Memorials . You can get a  memorial Website with a public or private listing all with a FREE 14 day no obligation trial. They even offer a free online obituary that can be upgraded later if you just want to try it.

Resolutions

Resolutions are the actions that will be taken.  These should be clear and brief.  Remember to state what, who, when, where, and  how the actions will be taken.  These can be very specific but are commonly generic in nature. 
A separate “BE IT RESOLVED“ statement should be used for each action.  If more than one action is required,  the second or more action should begin with “Be it further Resolved”.
 Although there may be many justifications (Whereas statements), there is no requirement to have as many resolutions.  Having just one or two is okay.

 Some common examples include:

1.  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 Sister Bobbie Joe, but will attempt to demonstrate her love for you.
2. 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 Bobbie Joe.

Official Proclamation

 This section is where the church officials acknowledge the resolution.  This is an important step as some resolutions over 100 years old have been discovered. 

 Often is started with a poem or bible scripture of encouragement for the family.   Customarily it ends with the phrase “Humbly submitted” or something similar.  The main officers, typically pastor, sign the resolution and a copy is given to the family with the original recorded into the church archives. 

That’s the basic format for writing a proper funeral resolution.  We have  other examples of funeral resolutions to give your some ideas.