Sample Language for a Bequest to Your Church

The following language may be used to make an unrestricted gift to your church by bequest:

I give ( ______ dollars/____ percent or all of the residue of my estate) to NAME OF YOUR CHURCH (note: you must use the legal name of your church. Even if your church has been known to everybody by a name like "Old East Church" for the past two centuries, if the legal name is "The First Church of Christ in South Wessex" the latter must be used in the bequest).

A bequest for a restricted purpose may be expressed as follows:

I give ( ______ dollars/____ percent or all of the residue of my estate) to the NAME OF YOUR CHURCH (see note above), for the benefit of NAME OF YOUR CHURCH to be used for ________________ (educational programs, bible distribution to minority communities, etc.)

We strongly encourage you to consult with your minister or church leadership before making a restricted bequest to your church.