About the Course

The Hospice Chaplaincy Institute is part of "Hospice Chaplaincy"a non profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in spiritual care at the end of life. The Hospice Chaplaincy Institute admits students of every race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights and privileges, programs, and activities made available to students in this program. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of it's educational policies, admission policies and anything associated with this program.

This certificate course is a foundational training for spiritual care at the end of life.The curriculum builds an essential knowledge base for professionals who deliver spiritual care in a hospice context, in order to improve the quality of care delivered to patients and families and meet requirements for expertise in the area. The course is a fully online, text based program, delivered in a continuously available and easily accessible format that allows students greater flexibility in balancing work responsibilities with furthering their education. 

The program is comprised of the following individual modules developed by an expert in Hospice care chaplaincy. Each of the course modules provided includes multiple learning objectives, rich content and learning activities that allow the learner to apply the new knowledge. 

At the conclusion of the Hospice Chaplaincy Certificate program, students will be able to:

  • Provide patient-centered, family-focused spiritual care that understands and respects diversity in all its dimensions.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of ethical issues in hospice care.
  • Incorporate awareness of, and respect for, professional boundaries when providing spiritual care.
  • Incorporate family systems theory in the practice of hospice care on a team, patient/family, and institutional level.
  • Articulate important spiritual, existential and emotional concepts for patients and families in hospice care, including faith, hope, forgiveness, meaninglessness and remorse.
  • Identify how psychology and social meaning overlap in spirituality research.
  • Know how to handle grief
  • Learn new pastoral care approaches to grief
  • Understand the importance of self care to avoid burnout

Course Outline

  1. History and Philosophy of Hospice Care.
  2. Theological framework for hospice ministry.
  3. Social and Cultural Factors in End of life care.
  4. Understanding the Initial phase of dying.
  5. Understanding the Living-Dying Interval.
  6. Understanding the Final Phase of Dying.
  7. Dealing with grief.
  8. Pastoral Care approaches to grief counseling and Self Care.
  9. Jewish perspective on care at the end of life.

Course Instructors

Dr. Saul Ebema: Saul has 14 years of hospice ministry. He is passionate about spiritual care at the end of life. He is an obsessive end of life researcher and educator. You will find his writings on www.hospicechaplaincy.com. He also co-hosts "The Hospice Chaplaincy Show" a podcast  about the psychosocial and psycho-spiritual aspects of end of life care. Saul got his bachelor's in Theology from the Baptist Convention College in Soweto South Africa. From there, he got a presidential scholarship at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Illinois to study for his MDiv. After graduating his MDiv in 2008, he continued to get his Doctorate in Ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2015. His emphasis was  on "Meaning making in the final stages of life."

Dr. Gary Johnson: A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Johnson received his undergrad at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He Completed his Doctorate in Ministry from United Theological Seminary. 

Contact us at: info@hospicechaplaincy.com OR call 1 (888) 503 5260 Ext 101

What they are saying!

I believe in refining my chaplaincy skills and the Hospice Chaplaincy program was what I needed. I have learned a lot and recommend it to all my friends who are in chaplaincy or pursuing chaplaincy work in the hospice context. Maria


Excellent platform and fantastic courses. I was able to take my time, studied at my own pace and completed the courses.  Perfect! Josh


Thank you I learned a lot, Robyn


Thank you so much. Wonderful classes. Immensely helpful. Diane


Thank you, Hospice Chaplaincy! You have renewed my passion for bedside ministry and my dream of becoming a hospice chaplain. Ann


I work as a hospice chaplain and been doing that for 2 years. I did this course for two reasons, for professional development but also because my hospice was paying for it. Dr. Ebema was fantastic, interesting, and helpful. I plan to take any other courses you will provide! Susan


I completely enjoyed the course thank you very much, Terri


Thank you so much. Hope to do more classes in the future. Heidi