Multifaith Chaplaincy Resources
- Yvonne Aburrow
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 11
Many online resources for chaplains and caregivers are multi-faith, and provide useful outlines of the spiritual considerations around caregiving, palliative care, hospice care, and funerals.
Articles and websites
The Canadian Multifaith Federation provides services, and advocates on spiritual and religious matters for Canadians.
Navigating faith: spiritual support for caregivers - Eirene.ca
Multi-Faith Practices: Guidelines for Caregivers - Research Institute for Aging is a practical guide for team members in long-term care and retirement homes.
Multicultural Caregiving - Caregiving is a common experience across many cultures, but it’s not always the same. Cultural expectations, histories, and traditions all influence what caregiving looks like and feels like.
When Life Ends: Support, Ceremonies, and Inspiration for Modern Families - The Inspired Funeral. Amazing resource with readings for people who are dying, funerals, bereavement, and funeral templates.
Books
Multi-faith Spiritual Care Guide - Compiled by Rev. Jenn Hind, M. Div., M. A. Ordained Minister, United Church of Canada, and her students.
Multi-faith Information Manual (6th edition) - Canadian Multi-faith Federation
As Canada moves towards a more diverse society it is imperative that individuals charged to care, educate and protect our citizens be made aware of the practical implications of diverse religious beliefs. The Multi-faith Information Manual provides concise information which takes some of the mystery out of management of religious diversity. This manual reflects the broad spectrum of discipline and practice which is the celebration of spirituality in our diverse communities. It has been enlarged, expanded and re-written in response to readers’ feedback to make it more convenient and useful.
Multi-faith Perspectives in Spiritual & Religious Care - Canadian Multi-faith Federation This book covers emerging trends in organized Multi-faith spiritual and religious care, and chaplaincy in Canada since the post WWII era. A must read for all chaplains, spiritual care practitioners, clergy, pastors, psychotherapists, pastoral counselors and educators. The book is also an excellent resource for caregiving professionals.
Spiritual Care Matters - an introductory guide for NHS staff - Interfaith Scotland There have been significant developments in recent years in the understanding of spiritual care within the Health Service. We live in a multi cultural world where religious labels are too often used and seen as terms of divisiveness and tension. Within healthcare communities, as within wider society, our differences can be and are at best, seen as part of an enriching diversity of our humanity.
Spiritual Care - a multi-faith resource for healthcare staff - Interfaith Scotland Scotland is a religiously and culturally diverse country and this resource is designed to assist health service staff to address some of the religious needs of patients in their care. Spiritual care, which includes but is not limited to religious care, must be provided in an equal and fair way for those of all faith communities or none. To
enable this, work is being done to develop culturally competent standards for spiritual and religious care.
The Dead Good Funerals Book, by Sue Gill and John Fox (UK)
The Dead Good Funerals Book offers advice and information on planning a funeral that will be worthy of the person, whether it is for cremation or burial. Experts Sue Gill and John Fox offer a wealth of useful knowledge and creative ideas to create a funeral that is memorable & truthful, legal & dignified. Sheds light on a topic that is difficult and unspoken in our culture.
Bryant, C. D., & Peck, D. L. (2003). Handbook of death & dying. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412914291
The Canadian Multi-faith Federation Reading List
The art of spiritual guidance: a contemporary approach to growing in the spirit - Gratton, Carolyn.
Dance of the Spirit: The Seven Steps of Women’s Spirituality - Harris, Maria
How to be a perfect stranger: a guide to etiquette in other people’s religious ceremonies
Multi-faith Information Manual. An authoritative guide to religious rights and accommodations, 6th ed. - Canadian Multi-faith Federation, 2017
Pastoral counseling across cultures - Augsburger, David W.
Spiritual Questions for the Twenty-First Century: Essays in Honor of Joan D. Chittister - Chittister, Joan D. Maryknoll.
Spiritual Assessment. Handbook for Helping Professionals - Hodge, David R.
Caring for Dying People of Different Faiths - Rabbi Julia Neuberger
The World’s religions - Smith, Huston.
Human resources guide to the duty to accommodate - Barbara G. Humphrey.
Religious Diversity and Human Rights - Irene Bloom
