A tribute from the church to a deceased member is usually printed in the funeral programme and read at the service. The same is asked of a choir, a women's or men's fellowship, a society or a prayer group. This guide shows you what a church tribute should include, and gives samples to copy and adapt for the congregation, the pastor and each group.
Who writes it and who signs it
The tribute speaks for a group, so settle this first.
- Who writes it. Often the church secretary, a society leader, or someone who served beside the person.
- Who approves it. The pastor, vicar or priest should read it before it goes to the family.
- Who signs it. The minister in charge, or the chairman and secretary of the society, "for and on behalf of" the group.
- When it is due. Ask the family for the deadline. The programme cannot be printed without it.
Check the facts first
A church tribute carries weight because it is official. Check each of these against the records.
- The full name and titles, as the family is printing them
- The year they joined the church or society
- Offices held, with the years
- Groups they belonged to
- Projects they led or supported
If the records and the family differ on a date, leave the date out and say "for many years".
What to include in a church tribute
- A heading. "Tribute by (name of church)" or "Tribute from the (name of society)".
- An opening line that says who has been lost.
- Their history with the church. When they joined, and where they served.
- Their character, as the church saw it, with one or two examples.
- What the church has lost, and what remains because of them.
- Words of comfort to the family.
- A farewell, and the signature.
Keep it to one page. About 200 to 300 words is right for print, and takes two minutes to read aloud.
Sample tributes from a church to a deceased member
Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
Tribute by the church to a late member
Tribute by (name of church), (town)
The entire congregation of (name of church) received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of our dear (title and full name).
(Title and surname) joined this church in (year). (He, She) served as (office) from (year) to (year), and was a devoted member of the (choir, fellowship, society). (He, She) was among those who (project, such as built the church hall or began the Sunday school).
We knew (him, her) as a person of prayer, humble and dependable. (He, She) was always among the first to arrive and the last to leave. (One short example, such as how they welcomed new members or visited the sick.)
The church has lost a pillar. Yet we give thanks to God for a life of faithful service, and for the example (he, she) leaves to the younger ones among us.
To the family, we offer our heartfelt sympathy. We pray that the Lord, who comforts all who mourn, will uphold you now and in the days ahead.
Rest in peace, faithful servant of God, until the resurrection morning.
(Name), (title)
For and on behalf of the church
Church tribute to an elder, deacon or church officer
Tribute by (name of church) to the late (title and full name)
The ministers, officers and members of (name of church) pay tribute to our (elder, deacon, churchwarden, steward).
(He, She) took office in (year) and served for (number) years. During that time the church (built, bought, began) (project).
In meetings (he, she) spoke last and spoke gently, and when a decision was made (he, she) stood by it. Many members can name a quiet kindness that the church records do not hold.
We have lost a wise counsellor. We commend the family to the comfort of God, and we promise them our prayers.
(Name), (minister in charge)
(Name), (church secretary)
Tribute from the pastor to a faithful member
I came to (name of church) in (year), and (title and surname) was the first member to knock on my door. (He, She) had come to ask how the church could help me settle.
For (number) years I could count on (him, her). If the hall needed opening, it was open. If a member was sick, (he, she) had visited before I heard of it.
Every minister needs a member like this. I thank God that I had one. To the family: your (father, mother) was loved in this church, and we will stand with you.
(Name), (title)
Tribute from the congregation to a late pastor
Tribute by the congregation of (name of church)
(Title and full name) came to us in (year) and served this congregation for (number) years. (He, She) baptised our children, married our young people and buried our dead. (He, She) knew every member by name.
We remember (his, her) preaching, which was plain and faithful, and (his, her) visits, which came when they were most needed.
We thank God for a true shepherd, and we pray for the family. Rest from your labours, servant of God.
(Name), (office), for the congregation
A short church tribute
Use this where space is tight, or from a small group.
The (name of group) mourns the passing of our beloved member, (title and full name). For (number) years (he, she) served among us with joy and faithfulness. We will miss (his, her) voice, (his, her) counsel and (his, her) smile. We thank God for (his, her) life, and we pray for the family. Rest in the bosom of the Lord.
(Name), (office), for the group
Sample tributes from a choir, fellowship or society
Speak of what the person did in that group.
- Choir. Their part, the years they sang, a hymn they loved.
- Women's or men's fellowship. Offices held, visits made, people they mentored.
- Sunday school or youth. The children they taught, and what those children became.
- Ushers, guild, band, prayer group. Their faithfulness in small duties.
One concrete memory is worth more than a list of praise. "She kept the altar flowers for twenty years, and paid for them herself" is a tribute on its own.
Tribute from the choir
For (number) years (title and full name) sang (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) in this choir. (He, She) rarely missed a practice, and was seated before the organist arrived.
(He, She) taught new members their parts with patience. (His, Her) favourite hymn was "(hymn)", and we shall sing it today.
There is an empty seat among us. Rest in peace, dear chorister.
(Name), choirmaster, for the choir of (name of church)
Tribute from the women's or men's fellowship
Our (sister, brother) (full name) joined this fellowship in (year) and served as (office) from (year) to (year). (She, He) visited the sick, sat with the bereaved, and never came to a meeting with empty hands.
Many of us learned to pray aloud because (she, he) asked us to. We pray for the family, and we will continue the work (she, he) loved.
Rest in the Lord, dear (sister, brother).
(Name), president, and (name), secretary
Tribute from the Sunday school
(Title and full name) taught in our Sunday school for (number) years. Many adults in this church learned their first memory verse from (him, her). (He, She) knew each child's name and each child's birthday.
The children wish to say: "Thank you, (Teacher, Uncle, Aunty) (name). We will remember what you taught us."
(Name), superintendent, for the teachers and children
A church resolution for a deceased member
In some churches, especially in North America, the church's tribute is written as a resolution. A few lines beginning "Whereas" state the facts, and lines beginning "Be it resolved" say what the church will do. Ask your pastor whether your church uses this form.
Sample church resolution
Resolution of respect for (title and full name)
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call our beloved (brother, sister), (full name), from labour to rest on (date), and
Whereas (he, she) was a faithful member of (name of church) for (number) years, serving as (offices), and
Whereas (his, her) life among us was marked by (two or three qualities, such as prayer, generosity and a welcome for strangers),
Be it resolved that we, the pastor, officers and members of (name of church), give thanks to God for (his, her) life and bow in humble submission to His will.
Be it further resolved that we offer our sympathy and prayers to the family, and that a copy of this resolution be given to the family and a copy be kept in the records of the church.
Humbly submitted on (date).
(Name), pastor
(Name), church clerk
15 short church tributes
Use these for a small space in the programme, a wreath card, the church notice sheet or a post online.
From the congregation
- The members of (name of church) thank God for the life of (title and full name), a faithful worshipper for (number) years. Rest in peace.
- (Name of church) has lost a pillar. We give thanks for (his, her) service.
- A seat in the (front row, third pew) is empty today. We will miss you, (title and surname). Rest in the Lord.
- (He, She) served this church in small things and in great, and asked for no thanks. We give it now.
- First to arrive, last to leave, and never without a kind word. Rest in peace, faithful servant.
From a choir, fellowship or group
- The choir mourns a faithful (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). Sing on, dear chorister.
- The women's fellowship thanks God for a mother and a mentor. Rest in peace, dear sister.
- The men's fellowship salutes a brother who was dependable in every duty. Rest well.
- The ushers remember a colleague who welcomed every worshipper with a smile.
- The youth of the church thank you, (title and name), for believing in us. We will carry on.
Short and simple
- Rest in peace, faithful servant of God.
- Well done, good and faithful servant.
- Your labour in the Lord was not in vain. Rest well.
- Asleep in Jesus, till the resurrection morning.
- We thank God for every remembrance of you. Rest in peace.
Bible verses for a church tribute
The wording here is from the King James Version.
- Revelation 14, verse 13. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
- Matthew 25, verse 21. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
- Psalm 116, verse 15. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
For more, see Bible verses for funerals. If the choir will sing the person's favourite hymn, see funeral hymns.
Tone and wording
- Be truthful. Praise only what the church really saw.
- Avoid long strings of titles and adjectives. Two or three well-chosen words are stronger.
- Use the church's own language. "Slept in the Lord", "called to glory", "promoted to glory", "passed on". Follow your tradition.
- Do not preach. The sermon will do that. The tribute remembers the person.
- Comfort the family. Always include a line addressed to them.
Reading it at the service
Ask the officiating minister where the tributes come in the order, and how long each may be. Read slowly. If several groups are giving tributes, the minister may ask for the printed versions to be "taken as read", with only two or three read aloud.
Questions people ask
How do you write a tribute from a church to a deceased member?
Give it a heading with the name of the church, then say who has been lost, when they joined, where they served and what kind of person the church knew. End with comfort for the family, a farewell and a signature.
Who signs a church tribute?
The minister in charge, or the chairman and secretary of the society, signs "for and on behalf of" the church or group. The minister approves the text first.
How long should a church tribute be?
Keep it to one page. About 200 to 300 words is right for print, and takes two minutes to read aloud.
What is a church resolution for a funeral?
It is a formal tribute set out in lines beginning "Whereas" and "Be it resolved". It records the member's service, gives thanks for their life and offers the church's sympathy to the family.
Can a choir or fellowship give its own tribute?
Yes, if the family has space for it in the programme. At the service, the minister may ask for some tributes to be "taken as read".
Before you hand it over
- The minister has approved the text.
- Names and titles match the family's programme.
- It is signed, with the signer's office.
- It is sent as typed text, not as a photo of handwriting, so that it can be placed in the programme without errors.
For the order of the whole service, see our orders of service. For the family's own pages, see how to write a tribute. Workplaces and friends can use tribute to a friend or colleague.
Send it by link with Homegoing
Families using Homegoing share one link for tributes. The church secretary or society leader can open it on a phone, paste the tribute and send it. It goes into the funeral programme under the name of the church or group. Start a programme