| You have been asked to write and give a funeral | | | | as a 'whereas' statement. Some examples of |
| resolution at a funeral, but need some guidance as | | | | whereas statements are as follows: |
| to what to say. The first thing is to make sure | | | | - Whereas, the deceased accepted God at an |
| you understand what a funeral resolution really is. | | | | early age and demonstrated throughout his life a |
| Some people confuse funeral resolution and | | | | sincere obedience to God. |
| eulogy. While a eulogy is a speech celebrating the | | | | - Whereas, the deceased was a faithful |
| life of the deceased, a funeral resolution is an | | | | community leader and bible school teacher for |
| official church document that will be stored in the | | | | over 25 years without complaint. |
| church archives and must follow a specific format. | | | | - Whereas, the passing of the deceased has left |
| If you are not sure which to prepare, you must | | | | us deeply saddened, he will be missed but not |
| ask the family of the deceased or the officiating | | | | forgotten. |
| clergy for clarification. | | | | - Whereas, the words of Jesus in John 14, "Let |
| What is a funeral resolution? | | | | not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, |
| A funeral resolution is a specifically formatted rite | | | | believe also in me. IN my Father's house are |
| of passage that you read at a funeral and is | | | | many mansions: if it were not so, I would have |
| officially acknowledged by the church and family. | | | | told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I |
| There are specific aspects that must be included | | | | go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, |
| and are outlined below. Every funeral resolution | | | | and receive you unto myself; that were I am, |
| contains a title, introduction, whereas statements, | | | | there ye may be also." |
| resolutions and ends with an official statement. A | | | | The Funeral Resolutions |
| brief meeting with the family of the deceased and | | | | The funeral resolutions are the actions to be |
| church members who knew the deceased will help | | | | taken by the congregation to resolve the death. |
| you obtain the information you need for the | | | | You do not need as many resolutions as there |
| funeral resolution. | | | | were 'whereas' statements, one or two is fine. |
| Title of a Funeral Resolution | | | | You must include details as to what the resolution |
| The title of the funeral resolution is usually | | | | is, who will be involved, when, where and how it |
| centered at the top of the page and includes the | | | | will be resolved. Some common examples of 'be it |
| deceased's name. Some samples of titles are: | | | | resolved' statements are as follows: |
| - Resolution of Respect for Name of Deceased | | | | - Therefore be it resolved, that we embrace the |
| - Resolution in Loving Memory of Name of | | | | family to show our support and love to the family |
| Deceased | | | | because in the death of our beloved Name of |
| Introduction to Funeral Resolution | | | | Deceased, we have a bond that will connect us |
| The introduction acknowledges that the deceased | | | | for the rest of our lives. We cannot replace Name |
| had a close relationship to God and acknowledges | | | | of Deceased, but we will show you her love for |
| the passing of the deceased. Sometimes a short | | | | you. |
| passage from the bible or a funeral poem is | | | | - Be it further resolved that a period of official |
| included as part of the introduction. If the | | | | mourning be observed for 60 days by the |
| deceased had a favorite funeral poem, it would be | | | | displaying of Name of Deceased's picture on the |
| appropriate to include it here. Some examples of | | | | back wall. |
| Introduction to a funeral resolution are: | | | | Official Acknowledgement of the Funeral |
| - God, in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to move | | | | Resolution |
| from out midst our beloved Name of Deceased | | | | The official proclamation is an important step |
| by means of death on Date of Death. | | | | because funeral resolutions remain in the church |
| - We come together to pay our respects to the | | | | archives. Some funeral resolutions in Europe have |
| memory of one whose life was full of love and | | | | been found that are three hundred years old. This |
| now is ended when Name of Deceased was called | | | | is often another place where a funeral poem or |
| to join God in heaven. | | | | bible scripture is included, as encouragement to |
| - It pleases Almighty God to take our beloved | | | | the family and as a closure to the passing of the |
| Name of Deceased to His reward. This | | | | deceased. End the resolution with the words, |
| introductory line is often followed by a funeral | | | | 'humbly submitted' or 'respectfully submitted' and |
| poem or reading. Visit ObituariesHelp.org for | | | | have the main church officers acknowledge the |
| funeral readings, eulogy poems and samples of | | | | funeral resolution by signing it at the bottom. The |
| funeral resolutions. | | | | original is stored in the church archives and a copy |
| Whereas Statements for Funeral Resolutions | | | | is given to the family. |
| This section is where you explain reasons or | | | | Some churches do not require such a specifically |
| justifications for the funeral resolution. These | | | | formatted funeral resolution, but rather will allow a |
| reasons begin with the word 'whereas' and explain | | | | funeral resolution that closely resembles a eulogy. |
| the deceased's relationship to God, his or her | | | | However, in the case of the deceased being a |
| work for the church, love by the community, and | | | | long standing member of the church and a |
| support to the family. Listing the significant | | | | volunteer and dear member of the church |
| accomplishments of the deceased is appropriate | | | | community, the church may require a format that |
| here. Usually there is no limit to the number of | | | | closely follows the outline given above. Always |
| 'whereas' statements but most churches want | | | | check with the main church officers if you are not |
| you to keep the resolution within 2 pages. A | | | | sure. |
| favorite passage from the bible can also be used | | | | |