A member of Rabbi Rachel Timoner’s congregation had died at home of COVID-19, and because they were quarantined, his immediate family members — his wife and their two adult sons — were not able to travel to the cemetery.
For many immigrant families, the pandemic has halted the tradition of repatriating bodies to their country of origin, and finding a plot in France has become ever more difficult.
Dial–a–Priest is available to health care professionals and families in hospitals and nursing homes around the country through a single number that connects callers to an Episcopal clergyperson for prayer, especially before intubations or surgeries, or last rites when needed – no matter a patient’s faith tradition or absence of faith tradition.
The Association of Professional Chaplains coronavirus page offers resources (healthcare, spiritual care services, self-care, etc.) curated by leaders in healthcare, safety and disease control that pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A prayer initiative sponsored by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), which is composed of Muslim and Christian religious leaders called for May 14 to be a day dedicated to fasting, works of mercy, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity, so that God will end the pandemic.
Since the coronavirus took hold of New York in March, burial rituals in the city have become more complicated. Funeral homes everywhere are backed up and overwhelmed.