For those who are under the umbrella of the USCOC the following seems to be a helpful list of the duties that might be expected of a Chaplain. The list does not include all the responsibilities that a chaplain can undertake, but at least it will give you a good start.

1. SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

Two important functions of the chaplain are to help individuals and their families in times of crises and to help them with their spiritual needs. Of all the many duties the chaplaincy may entail, these are the principal responsibilities. The chaplain may use different ways to bring about spiritual truths and assistance to an individual family. However, the most important ministry is to simply be available when called upon. Spiritual need is the greatest of all needs and the chaplain must be able to meet this need. The chaplaincy is a ministry of action rather than word.

Another important part of these functions is to understand the personal religious needs of the individual and to call their own minister to assist as soon as possible, if the family so desires. The chaplain can then assist their minister to understand the functions and the resources available through the USCOC.

2. ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Dealing with families when a hospitalization, disabling injury or death occurs, is a primary function of the chaplain. To provide the best service at this type of incident, the chaplain should respond as often as possible to all major emergency situations. If an injury to an individual occurs, the chaplain should meet that individual at the hospital, quickly determine the extend of the injury from the hospital staff, and then notify the family in a manner that will not cause undue panic or grief. At the time of the initial call or contact with the family, a decision should be made as to whether the family will need transportation to the hospital. When the family arrives, the chaplain should have an accurate report concerning the individuals condition.

At emergency incidents the chaplain, if not involved in the actual work of the emergency, should be alert to the needs of the emergency service personnel. The chaplain should be especially mindful that the type of people making emergency response are easily capable of overexerting themselves to the point of exhaustion. Knowing this, the chaplain can make command officers aware of potentially dangerous situations that need immediate attention and/or medical attention.

At major emergencies it is often the chaplain who is free to assist in handling unruly or hysterical people. This becomes a needed function at rescues, extrications, situations that draw a sizeable crowd, nursing homes, or incidents where children are involved. The importance of keeping a cool, calm demeanor during these times, along with the ability to explain to the public what is actually taking place, is a service the chaplain can perform. Comforting the bereaved and offering positive direction to the victims family are priorities at these types of incidents. When chaplains act in these ways at the site of an emergency, the results are generally successful in not only aiding the victims, but also in keeping distraught citizens from interfering with the performance of emergency operations.

3. LIAISON WITH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

A chaplain should frequently visit hospitals and clinics in the widest sense of the words, to build rapport with medical personnel. These visits help the chaplain to receive accurate and helpful reports from the hospital professionals who have confidence in the chaplain with whom they have become acquainted. This information aids the family in understanding what is taking place and to better understand the condition of their family member.

4.CONDUCTING/ASSISTING AT FUNERALS

The chaplain can assist the family in funeral arrangements for veterans and members of the emergency services community. They may even officiate at the service or assist the family minister. Assistance frequently is done in the form of organizing the details of the funeral service. Details to be considered include helping the officials with establishing an honor guard, preparing any apparatus for the funeral procession, organizing the church and cemetery details, determining the location of the funeral, and arranging for procession escorts.

In contrast with what some websites might want you to believe, no civilian chaplains organization is, without official, formal, specific and seldom granted governmental authorization, allowed to bury any veteran under the title of providing military honors. Only the military can grant military honors.

The USCOC can honor the deceased as a veteran but we cannot, and must not, ever present ourselves as a branch of the United States military. Be well aware of this, and do not add to the grief of a family, by performing what they will later on find out to have been an empty and illegal ritual. What you absolutely should not follow is the advice found on one particularly misleading website, namely presenting the bereft family with an American flag "on behalf of the President of the United States": such pretense is a federal crime, period. You can only use this terminology if presenting a flag, letter, or other material specifically provided by the United States government for just that purpose, along with instructions or permission to do so. There's nothing against presenting a flag, but any civilian, non-governmental organization can only do that on behalf of itself. A more appropriate statement might be, "We present this token of service and honor on behalf of the United States Corps of Chaplains and fellow veterans of military service."

Support and consolation of the family are responsibilities of the chaplain. The chaplain should always send condolences at the time of death and offer any assistance needed. This is a responsibility of the chaplain that should never be neglected.

5. WEDDINGS

The USCOC will attend to residents of many states and of different municipalities. Especially when it comes to weddings, local laws tend to differ widely as to who can solemnize the ceremony and the procedures they follow to register. Please acquaint yourself with the laws in your locality and any other areas you may be called upon to serve. It is your responsibility to comply with all laws at all times.

Bearing all the above in mind, the chaplain may be called upon to perform/solemnize weddings. Wedding etiquette, premarital counseling, and the actual performance of the ceremony are areas of expertise that the chaplain should take special care to develop. The chaplain should know about any preferences held toward the actual wedding ceremony.

6. COUNSELING

The daily pressures of the society in which we live has greatly contributed to the need for competent and caring counsel. It is not recommended that the chaplain should attempt to conduct counseling in all areas. The need for counseling in the areas of post-traumatic stress disorder, marriage, professional, family, substance abuse, delinquency, children, finances, critical incident stress management, and a host of other problem areas can quickly overwhelm an overzealous chaplain. The chaplain should be aware of the basics in these areas, but be knowledgeable of the type of help individuals may need. If the chaplain does not feel qualified, or for some reason is not able to counsel the individual or family member, it is necessary to be able to direct them to a qualified counselor.

7. VISITATION

A great deal of comfort, spiritual aid, friendship, and solid supportive help can be give to the sick, distraught, and injured through personal contact. Regular visitation at home and in the hospital is an important function of the chaplain. It is an excellent time for the chaplain to represent the USCOC and let the individual know that we are thinking about him or her and concerned about his or her welfare.

8. AVAILABILITY

The chaplain must be available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. When the chaplain cannot be available, it should be made known and someone else made available to fill in. In order for the chaplain to be available at all times, telephone, pager and radio's are recommended.

9. GAINING RESPECT

Gaining respect is a must for the effectiveness and credibility of the chaplain. It should be noted that respect cannot be demanded, it must be earned by the chaplain as he works to develop a relationship in the community. Respect comes as the chaplain demonstrates commitment and dedication for the individuals and their families. The chaplain gains respect by showing respect for others through his or her words and actions. The chaplain earns respect by continuing to participate in activities, emergencies and routine, regardless of how hard the going may get.

10. ATTENDING FUNCTIONS

The chaplain may be called upon to represent the USCOC at official functions or public meetings, and asked to give invocations, dedicatory prayers or benedictions.

It is often the chaplain who carries expressions of sympathy, condolences or congratulations to individuals and their families.

11. COMMUNICATION

Communication with individuals has been mentioned in different ways throughout this document. Communication in one form or another is the most important service the chaplain provides, and is greatly needed. Personal, direct contact by visiting should be built into every chaplaincy program.

Communication also takes place through telephone calls and sending letter or cards on special occasions. Sympathy cards can be sent to those in need, as well as congratulations for marriages, births, promotions, special recognition, et cetera. A monthly or quarterly prayer breakfast or meeting with interested personnel can be an important phase of the chaplaincy. All the foregoing methods of communication are recommended practices that will build relationships and keep lines of communications open.

12. RETIRED

An effort should be made by the chaplain to assist retired veterans and their families. This can be done by keeping in touch with the leaders of the local veterans groups and by being alert to notice the needs to retired individuals.  

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Note: The above, compiled by Chaplain (General) Phillip D. Burnette, National Commander, United States Corps of Chaplains, is a combination of various statements from all over the web and as such constitutes a work that could be considered as in the public domain.