Faith-Based Resources

COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness

New York Disaster Interfaith Services

  • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for NYC Faith Communities
    • NYDIS’ new Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit & Planning Guide equips congregations to write a pandemic preparedness plan for lay and ordained religious leaders to use when planning and practicing how their congregations can serve congregants, staff, clients, and neighborhoods during pandemics – such as COVID-19. This toolkit is adapted from DOHMH’s “Pandemic Community Preparedness Toolkit” with support from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Fund for Public Health of New York.
  • HOWReady – House of Worship Ready Tip Sheets for NYC Religious Leaders

Communications

Alerts and Communications

NYDIS’ Social Media: The fastest source for updates on COVID-19 is on NYDIS’ Facebook or Twitter.

NYC HOWalert (NYC House of Worship Alert) system

HOWalert is a free emergency notification system for NYC clergy/religious leaders and communications “decision-makers” from NYC congregations, religious bodies/networks and nonprofits. It will notify subscribers about life-threatening incidents or other hazards that may affect faith sector facilities. It also notifies subscribers with information that should be urgently shared with their congregants, clients, or staff. Communication can be two-way – by sending messages with live links to surveys that collect emerging needs or allowing religious leaders to request help during an unfolding public health emergency or disaster.
Register Here: www.nydis.org/howalert

Islamic Leadership Council of New York created a way to get regular updates for the Muslim community: Text CV19 to 56525

Muslim Community Network has launched a COVID-19 Response Hotline for those in need of assistance or have questions: Call (888) 409-0036

Emergency Communications and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Guidelines

NYDIS

  • COOP & Emergency Communications Recommendations:  
    Your plans should include provisions for your personnel to work remotely, including creating systems for computers,  office equipment, and other technology necessary to have remote access. Consider plans to conduct remote or live-streamed worship services and alternatives to congregation rituals in the event that mass gatherings become inadvisable. Review and practice your Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Plans in the context of a pandemic. Advise your staff, personnel, and congregants to review their family emergency plans.
  • NYDIS Tip Sheets (Uploaded: November 2020)

  • NYDIS Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit For NYC Faith Communities (Uploaded December 2020)

Office of the Mayor of New York City

New York Police Department

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Worship & Spiritual Care

Funeral Guidelines

NYDIS

  • Funeral or Burial Recommendations:  
    House of worship and funeral home funerals should be suspended, and the dead should be buried or interred during a graveside service of no more than 10 people who strictly adhere to social distancing protocols. Individuals traveling to the burial should only travel with members of their own household – if anyone is unwell, they must not attend. If desirable, the service may be live-streamed or recorded to share with others not able to attend. No Repast or Receptions should be held following burial or cremation.  

For Jews, no Shivas should be held in person. Shiva calls should be made virtually.  

NYC Human Resources Administration:

NYS Department of Health

Spiritual Care Resources

NYDIS

Baptist Convention of New York and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief

  • New York Residents’ Spiritual Care Hotline (877-697-7297)

Spiritual Care Association HealthCare Chaplaincy Network

  • Members of the public or first responders/health care providers can chat with a Chaplain for spiritual support and comfort. Available via email, phone, and video chat.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster:

  • Light Our Way (2018): A guide for Spiritual Care in Times of Disaster for Disaster Response Volunteers, First Responders, and Disaster Planners

National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN)

Virtual Worship Tools

NYC Mayor’s Office Center for Faith and Community Partnerships

The Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College

Facebook

TechSoup

Switcher Studio

Worship and Gathering Information and Guidelines

Opinion Article by Ken Braddy Jr: 24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
Updated April 20, 2020

NYDIS

NYC Mayor’s Office Center for Faith and Community Partnerships

New York State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources for Faith Leaders

NYDIS | Thrive NYC | Interfaith Center of NY

NYDIS' Faith-Based Trainings

NYDIS provides free, weekly training for congregation decision-makers. Click here to register and learn more about our current training sessions:

    • Pandemic Toolkit & Vaccine Updates Webinars for NYC Religious Leaders
      1.5 hours – A series of webinars which will present NYDIS’ new Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit, which guides congregations on how to write a preparedness plan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will highlight key resources and planning tools, as well as COVID-19 vaccine updates.
    • Public Health Emergency Plan Writing COOP for Congregations
      2.5 hours – COOP and CERC writing workshop for congregation decision-makers tasked with writing emergency plans.
    • COVID-19 Pandemic: Crisis Spiritual Care for Congregations
      2 hours – An overview of crisis spiritual care best practices – including, general crisis spiritual care principles and interventions, disaster mental health & caregiver self-care.
    • NYC Pandemic Virtual Exercise: Testing Your Plans
      2 hours – Organizations can discuss, troubleshoot, and find solutions for the unique obstacles facing congregations and organizations during a pandemic.

Download the Training Flyer

To view recordings of past webinars, please visit NYDIS’ YouTube page.

Burial Financial Assistance

NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA): Provides financial assistance to individuals in need of assistance to meet funeral expenses. Low-income New York City residents may be eligible for up to $1,700 in financial assistance to meet funeral expenses for a deceased low-income New York City resident family member or friend. Learn more about the requirements and fill out the application here.

Funeral Guidelines

NYDIS’ Funeral or Burial Recommendations:  
House of worship and funeral home funerals should be suspended, and the dead should be buried or interred during a graveside service of no more than 10 people who strictly adhere to social distancing protocols. Individuals traveling to the burial should only travel with members of their own household – if anyone is unwell, they must not attend. If desirable, the service may be live-streamed or recorded to share with others not able to attend. No Repast or Receptions should be held following burial or cremation.  

For Jews, no Shivas should be held in person. Shiva calls should be made virtually.  

NYC Human Resources Administration

NYS Department of Health

Virtual Memorial Guide

  • It can be overwhelming to plan a memorial service – but planning one during a pandemic is even more difficult when we can’t be together in person.

    This free, do-it-yourself guide, with customizable templates, will help you spend less time trying to figure it all out and more time honoring your loved ones.