United Church Chaplaincy Resources
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
About the United Church
United Church faith communities welcome people from all backgrounds and orientations—wherever they are in their faith journey.
What We Believe - United Church
Attitudes to death and dying
Pastoral caregivers are especially needed when an illness is terminal, or if the patient and their family have difficulty discussing this reality.
Upholding counsel and patient rights.
Patients deserve to know the truth.
Patients are entitled to a share of decision-making prior to and during their illness.
Patients have a right to refuse medical care.
Decisions are best made within a family of faith.
United Church resources for hospice chaplains
Death and Dying Resources from the United Church
Music
We Are Not Alone (SATB) (Pat Mayberry/David Kai) (PDF): Short SATB piece with piano accompaniment suitable for use during a funeral, memorial service, or other appropriate times during a worship service. Lyrics from the United Church's A New Creed. Please credit Music: Pat Mayberry; Arrangement: David Kai and report to One License / Licensing.
Reflections and Prayers
Pain, Dying, and Our Understanding of God (Word): Some explanation of the theology behind the prayers below.
Prayer after a Loved One Has Died by Medical Means (Word): For the loved ones of someone who has died.
Prayer after the Unexpected, Devastating Diagnosis of a Loved One (Word): For the loved ones of someone who will soon die.
Prayer at the Time of Deciding on the Day and Place of Death (Word): For the person who has chosen medically assisted dying.
Prayer at the Time of Increasing Struggle with Illness (Word): For someone who is struggling to cope.
Prayer Following the Decision by a Suffering Person to End Their Life (Word): For the loved ones of someone who has chosen to end their life.
Prayer for Living Fully in the Dying Days (Word): For a person who is dying and their family and friends.
Prayer in the Midst of Fear (Word): For someone who is dying and afraid, and who has decided to seek medical aid in dying.
Prayer in Time of Remission (Word): For a person whose illness is in remission and is grateful but may still be anxious.
Prayer of a Medical Professional (Word): For medical professionals going to hear the request of a patient to end their life.
Prayer of a Person in Constant Pain 1 (Word): For someone who is enduring constant pain.
Prayer of a Person in Constant Pain 2 (Word): For someone enduring constant pain who knows they will die.
Prayer to Be Offered with Children (Word): For the children of a parent or guardian who will soon die.
Prayer When Cancer Treatment Is Troubling and Prolonged 1 (Word): For someone whose death is certain.
Prayer When Cancer Treatment Is Troubling and Prolonged 2 (Word): For someone whose death is uncertain.
Prayer When Illness Returns (Word): For a person whose illness has returned and who feels afraid.
Praying through the Tears (Word): For someone whose illness will not be cured.
God’s Care, Everywhere: You care for us, Loving God; you care for those closest to us.
In Death, Hope: We can go with love around us, for God’s Love is eternal.
