Emergency
How spiritual care helps
Grand River Hospital offers a comprehensive spiritual care program, supporting the needs of patients, families, physicians, staff and volunteers.
Sometimes called chaplains, spiritual care providers work with all people--those connected with a faith community, those who find themselves without community, and those who find their support outside of a faith group.
We believe that many spiritual practices are important to healing. Sometimes patients want a visit from their own spiritual leader or are seeking a particular religious ritual. At your request, we can help you contact spiritual resources and faith communities outside the hospital.
Spiritual care providers help patients and families talk about their specific spiritual or religious needs and how these can best be met during the time in the hospital.
All staff spiritual care providers are educated through the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) and are registered psychotherapists with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Helpful resources
GRH has provided several documents in Adobe PDF format for spiritual care needs and services, along with several links to external websites. Click on the highlighted text to view these brochures and resources
When someone is dying
- When someone is dying in hospital: a guide to the dying process, for families, friends, and patients provided by Hospice Palliative Care of Waterloo and Wellington
- When someone is dying in the community: a guide to the dying process, for families, friends, and patients provided by Hospice Palliative Care of Waterloo and Wellington
- When someone dies: A guide for bereaved families, specific to Waterloo Region, detailing next steps for family and friends following a death.
Grief and loss support services
- Bereaved Families of Ontario is a peer-support organization active locally and across the province.
- Grief and loss support services in Waterloo Region: A listing of support services in Waterloo Region for those who are grieving.
- Grief after suicide: A guide produced by the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
For children:
- Sesame Street Children's Grieving Resources: An extensive on-line guide for parents and children facing loss, with video and written resources. In English and Spanish.
- Helping children to grieve
- Supporting children who are grieving the loss of a loved one from a distance
News and stories from spiritual care at GRH
Anita Syens: providing care for the spirit of an individual
June 9, 2017Not all providers give direct medical care in a hospital setting; sometimes a provider may be giving care for the spirit of the patient or their family, like spiritual care provider Anita Syens.
GRH’s spiritual care department marks important awards and designations
May 18, 2017GRH is proud to acknowledge two very special people in spiritual care for their achievements: (Rev.) John Lougheed and Rev. Dr. Florence Juma.
GRH hosts a very special wedding
May 5, 2017Grand River Hospital played host to the wedding of Tricia Snider and Doug Clayfield at the KW Campus on Friday May 5th. Tricia’s father David Gardy took part as a patient of GRH.
Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week and its impact on the GRH community
February 1, 2017It's World Interfaith Harmony Week. The GRH community is celebrating the occasion by remembering how our local Interfaith Grand River organization came together following a tragedy, and how their work has benefited the hospital community.
Ala' Al-Thibeh: learning to be present as a spiritual care intern
December 4, 2016Ala’ Al-Thibeh loves being a spiritual care provider at Grand River Hospital. Spiritual care providers are key for supporting the spiritual well-being of patients in the hospital. When patients and families are in crisis, spiritual care providers are often called upon to provide assistance and support.