Is it in keeping with denominational practice for ministers to render a bill for conducting a funeral service, or to accept a donation for such service?
The answer to this question may be found in an action adopted by the Autumn Council held at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1935, reading as follows:
Whereas. There seems to be a lack of understanding and uniformity among our workers regarding the acceptance of contributions for conducting funerals.
We recommend, 1. That in accordance with our time-honored custom, our ministers make no charge for conducting funeral services.
2. That the conference pay the expense incurred by workers for conducting funerals, and that any contribution received toward the expense be turned over to the conference.
3. That our people be advised to call upon their local pastor, district worker. or conference president to conduct funerals, and if any other worker be called, that those making such request pay the worker's traveling expenses.
4. That when our people call for a minister in another conference to conduct a funeral, before r sponding to such a call the worker get permissi from his local conference officers.
The foregoing action is in perfect harmony with the general practice of our ministry from the beginning of our denominational history. The minister receives his support from the tithe paid by our people. This is given in consideration for the services he renders the cause in all lines. It therefore seems quite inappropriate for a minister to render a bill or to receive a personal donation. Rather, this is a time, perhaps above all others, when he can render most effective service in comforting a bereaved, sorrowing family. Collecting a fee at such a time is in harmony with the practice carried on in Babylon, from which we are called out.
E. E. Andross, General Conference Field Secretary.
