Funeral Officiant: Ordained Ministry Officiant: Commissioning Service

Funeral Officiant: Ordained Ministry Officiant: Commissioning Service

This commissioning service should be led by a mentor, pastor, church leader, Christian Leaders Church representative, Christian Leaders Alliance member, or a denominational minister.

The service may be integrated into other worship elements, conducted as a standalone commissioning service, or included as part of a church or house church gathering.

Introduction

We gather today to commission and install [Name] into the sacred role of Ordained Funeral Officiant within the Church and/or the broader community.

This commissioning acknowledges the importance of guiding and officiating funeral ceremonies with Christ-centered principles, offering comfort, hope, and the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

This service includes the following timeless characteristics of ministry commissioning:

Timeless Characteristics of Commissioning

Spiritual Qualifications

[Name] is a seasoned and tested believer, walking with God, meeting spiritual qualifications, and called to specific ministries or tasks (Acts 6:2-6; 14:23).

Public Prayer and Commissioning

This individual will be publicly prayed over and commissioned with the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6; 13:3).

Spiritual Leadership

This commissioning has been bathed in prayer and/or fasting, recognizing its profound spiritual significance (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 14:23).

Church Connection

[Name] is connected to the Church and desires to build both the local church and God’s Kingdom (Colossians 3:16-17).

Gospel-Centered Ministry

The ultimate purpose of this appointment is to bring the message of Christ’s resurrection and eternal life to those mourning the loss of loved ones, providing hope and pointing to the Gospel (John 11:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

Historical Significance of Commissioning

Since the time of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit has appointed Christian leaders to comfort the grieving and share the hope of eternal life. Leaders equipped by the Holy Spirit nurture believers, serve others in love, and share the Gospel. This role, as an Ordained Funeral Officiant, focuses on officiating funerals and memorial services in alignment with God’s Word and His promise of eternal life.

Acknowledgment of Training

[Name] has completed ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute, including rigorous coursework, examinations, and a capstone course designed to ensure competence in officiating funeral and memorial ceremonies.

This credential equips [Name] to provide comfort to grieving families, conduct services with compassion, and communicate the hope of the resurrection in Christ.

The Charge to the Candidate

Solemn Responsibility

This commissioning acknowledges your responsibility for guiding families and communities through times of loss with Christ’s love and hope (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Guidance by the Holy Spirit

You are called to depend on the Holy Spirit, who will guide you in ministering God’s comfort and truth (John 14:26; Acts 4:31).

Commitment to Sanctification

This commissioning requires a life of sanctification, living anew in Christ and setting an example for others (Romans 8:13-17; Colossians 3:5-10).

Living the Qualifications

You are called to exemplify:

• Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Humility and teachability (Philippians 2:3).
• Accountability to other believers (Galatians 6:1-2).

Questions to the Candidate

To affirm your acceptance of this role, please respond to the following:

1. Do you believe God has called you to serve as an Ordained Funeral Officiant, guiding others in times of grief with Christ-centered comfort?
2. Do you accept the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life?
3. Do you promise to carry out the work of this ministry faithfully, with integrity, and in submission to God’s Word?

Candidate Response: "I do, God helping me."

The Laying on of Hands

The officiating leader, along with other chosen leaders, shall lay hands on the candidate and pray:

"May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you to this role, guide you by His Word, fill you with His Spirit, and bless your ministry for the glory of His name. Amen."

Final Charge to the Ordained Funeral Officiant

[Name], I charge you to guard yourself and the families you minister to, nurturing them with Christ’s love and the hope of the resurrection. Be a shepherd to those who mourn, bringing the comfort of God’s promises and the light of His truth (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Go forth in the name of Christ, equipped and empowered for this sacred ministry.