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Hello, I have learned so much from this forum, and am reaching out for some advice.


My mother is in Hospice care. The hospice chaplain has agreed to do her funeral service when she dies. I need to know how much I should pay him and if I should offer to let him ride with us to the service, which will be about 50 miles away.


Thank you.

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I assume he's drawing a salary for the visits he has made through Hospice so it's only the funeral service that goes beyond that scope, and I think $200 is generous.
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I paid the minister for my mother's service $500, but it was left up to our discretion as to the amount. Of course, her church family had been very supportive over the past several years, so I had no problem with that amount. I paid the musicians $200 each as well, because they'd given my parents so much joy over the years.

However, if this is your one and only experience with this chaplain, I'd say $50/hour.
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Bettyboo95 Oct 2021
He visits my mother two to three times a month and calls me afterwards. Occasionally, I will be visiting my mom when he stops in for his visit. Otherwise, I don’t have any contact with him.

Edited to add that we will be having a graveside service only.
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I just looked at Moms funeral contract. The clergy "donation" was included in the cost of Moms funeral. He received $150 from the Funeral director. This was 4 yrs ago. So if your having a full funeral, look to see if clergy is included in misc. You can always give him additional.
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Bettyboo95 Oct 2021
Thanks, I need to call the funeral home and ask how they handle this.
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He has a family, or household to support, like you or I do.

If a handyman charges $50/hour, then, this chaplain should get paid that.

I would pay him from the time he gets into your car, till the time you drop him back to his car.

He will be “on-duty” all that time.

Plus, a tip would be nice, as well.
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Bettyboo95 Oct 2021
That’s a good idea to pay by the hour. It will take 45 minutes to an hour to get to the cemetery, about 30 minutes or so for the service, and then 45 minutes to an hour to return. So, I may need to pay him around $300.
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Thank you Sendhelp and GardenArtist. I don’t see a way to thank you individually.

Sendhelp, I was thinking I should probably pay him around $200. And, Garden Artist, I will contact the administrative staff next week. Good idea.

Thanks again.
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Sendhelp Oct 2021
Maybe add $20 for gas if he takes his own car.
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$200.00
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JoAnn29 Oct 2021
Thats very generous.
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You might want to ask this question of the hospice administration team.
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