END-OF-LIFE CARE INITIATIVE SURVEY

What Is an End-of-Life Care Initiative?

An End-of-Life Care Initiative is a structured, ministry-based effort that equips churches to provide compassionate, holistic care to individuals and families facing the end of life. It is a proactive approach that integrates spiritual, emotional, and practical support into the life of the church.

Key Components of the Initiative:

Education & Training: Equipping pastors, leaders, and members with biblical, emotional, and practical knowledge to support the dying and their loved ones.

Support Ministries: Creating care teams or ministries that offer presence, prayer, companionship, meals, grief support, and legacy planning help.

Courses& Workshops: Hosting structured courses such as The Ministry of Presence or Pastoral Care Beyond Prayer to train leaders and volunteers.

Church-Wide Engagement: Encouraging the entire congregation to understand and embrace their role in providing end-of-life care—normalizing conversations around death and grief.

Policy & Preparedness: Helping churches establish written policies for funeral, memorial, homegoing, and pastoral responsibilities related to dying members.


Our Goal:

To ensure no one faces death alone—and that every church becomes a place of presence, peace, and preparation for life’s final transition.

Purpose of the End-of-Life Care Initiative

The purpose of the End-of-Life Care Initiative is to equip churches to serve individuals and families with compassion, dignity, and spiritual support during life’s final season. It ensures that no one walks through death or grief alone by providing training, tools, and a structured ministry approach rooted in faith. This initiative reflects the church’s biblical calling to care for the sick, comfort the grieving, and honor life from beginning to end.

Why Pastors, Church Leaders, Lay Leaders, and Chaplains Should Take Our Survey

Taking our survey is the first step toward understanding how your church currently supports individuals and families facing serious illness, dying, or grief. It helps us assess your church’s needs, strengths, and readiness to implement an End-of-Life Care Initiative.


By completing the survey, you will:

Identify gaps and opportunities in your current care ministry

Receive personalized support and guidance

Gain access to free training, tools, and resources

Shape a program that aligns with your church’s mission and capacity

The survey is not a test—it’s a ministry tool to help your church grow in compassion, preparedness, and service.

Your responses will help us understand how best to support you and your church in developing or refining your funeral, memorial, or homegoing service policy. Our desire is to walk alongside you in this important part of ministry, so your congregation is prepared with clarity and compassion when it matters most.

We thank you in advance for your time and honesty. Your insights are deeply appreciated.

There are 12 questions. This survey should take 10-20 minutes. Please be honest with yourself when answering the questions.

Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on what the Bible teaches about order, care, and preparation in times of loss, we invite you to complete a brief survey.

Biblical Scriptures Supporting the Importance of a Funeral, Memorial, or Homegoing Service Policy

1. 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

This reminds the church that structure, clarity, and reverence are necessary in all areas of ministry—including funerals. A written policy helps ensure services are handled with dignity and consistency.

2. Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die..."

This passage affirms that death is a part of life and ministry. Churches must be ready to shepherd families through this sacred season with care and preparedness.

3. Galatians 6:2

"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Having a policy is one way the church can bear the emotional, spiritual, and logistical burdens of the grieving, ensuring no one is left confused or unsupported.

4. Proverbs 27:12

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."

Wise leaders plan ahead. A funeral policy is an act of spiritual foresight—one that prevents conflict, confusion, and added grief.

5. 2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

A homegoing service honors those who have completed their earthly journey. A written policy ensures that such services reflect faith, hope, and the promise of eternal life.

Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on what the Bible teaches about order, care, and preparation in times of loss, we invite you to complete a brief survey.

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  1. Does your church currently have a written End-of-Life Care Initiative with or without a Funeral/ Memorial/Homegoing Service Policy?  (If yes: How often is it reviewed or used? If no: Why not?)

  1. How confident do you feel that your current initiative and funeral policy reflects your church’s theology, hospitality, and pastoral care priorities? (Explain your answer.)

  1. What are some challenges your church has faced when planning or conducting a funeral or memorial service?

  1. How does your church determine who can officiate or participate in a service, especially in cases involving guest ministers or non-members?

  1. When a grieving family approaches your church, what written or verbal guidance are they given in terms of planning the service?

  1. How are decisions about music, eulogies, fees, or use of the facility typically handled? Are those expectations clearly communicated in advance?

  1. Do you think your congregation understands what to expect from your church when a death occurs in the family?

  1. If you do not currently have an End-of-Life Care Initiative with a written Funeral/Memorial/Homegoing Service Policy, would you be interested in assistance creating one—or having someone create it for you based on your input?

  1. If someone were to prepare a full, custom initiative and policy for your church, what would that service be worth to you financially or in terms of saved time and ministry energy?

  1. In your view, what should a funeral or memorial policy accomplish for the grieving family and for the church?

  1. Do you see value in churches having consistent, written guidelines for end-of-life ministry (such as an End-of-Life Care Initiative)? Why or why not?

  1. Are there three to five pastors or ministry leaders you know who might benefit from this kind of policy support? (If so, can you provide their names below?) Would you be willing to make first contact for us? (If so, call hem and let them know we will be reaching out to them.)

Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey.


At the End-of-Life Care Institute, our heart is to first hear from God and then join Him in the work He is already doing. As we come alongside your ministry, we will continue seeking His direction on what He desires us to do—and how He wants us to do it.

We will be in touch with you soon. In the meantime, we invite you to visit our website for additional resources, updates, and support:
🌐 eolcareinstitute.org

May God bless you as you serve and shepherd His people.

Glory Be to God!

Sonja S. Koenig

CEO & Founder

Email: [email protected]

Website: eolcareinstitute.org

Phone #: 210-400-0540

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