• Despite the religious exemption allowing houses of worship up to host a gathering of up to 50 people, NYDIS recommends the closure all houses of worship to public worship and community life – leaving them open only for prayer or essential social services (food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, etc., and only if they can be operated safely with strict social distancing.

• All congregations who are able, should live stream or FaceTime their worship services and sermons. It is critical that people of faith maintain a personal and visual connection to community, tradition, communal prayer, sacraments, and sacred texts. If your congregation is technically unable, perhaps you can partner with a congregation that can provide that support.

• Regarding Last Rites and other bedside rituals or prayers. NYDIS recommends clergy work with family or healthcare professionals to offer prayers via video chat (examples: FaceTime, Snap Chat or WhatsApp).

• If Holy Communion or Holy Oil/Anointing of the Sick are to be administered, NYDIS recommends that communion and/or a cotton ball soaked in holy oil, be placed in separate zip lock bags, given to family or nursing staff, and administered under video supervision accompanied by prayers offered by a priest or other duly appointed religious leader.

• If, in accordance with any faith traditions prayers for the sick and/or dying are to be offered, they should be offered by the appropriate lay or ordained leader via video chat with a family member or medical professional holding the device bedside.

• Regarding Funerals or Burial: 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 Shiva should be held in person. Shiva calls should be made virtually.

• All pastoral care, spiritual care, and in-person visitations should be suspended. Use social media, phone calls to share regular healing prayers and message to help communities remain hopeful.

• All congregations should encourage members to take care of and check-in on their elderly and vulnerable neighbors. With the ability to travel being curtailed. Only neighbors helping neighbors will hold our humanity together – children and family cannot travel safely to care for family, we must care for them ourselves.