Pastoral and Bereavement Services

At Cabrini we offer a unique component of care that focuses on the human spirit; the part of us that centres on what is sacred and meaningful, and what gives us hope, strength and energy. In the face of illness or admission to hospital, you may deal with some challenging questions such as:

Our professionally qualified and experienced pastoral practitioners are here to support you through this challenging time. Our male and female practitioners are available for one-off or multiple visits, and will:

• Listen to you with compassion
• Extend a non-anxious presence and companionship to you
• Assist you to identify and name your own lifelong sources of strength, hope, meaning and purpose
• Link you with your own spiritual and faith representatives if requested
• Connect you with rituals, sacraments, texts and prayers you may desire
• Deliver spiritual and emotional support to your families and loved ones
• Refer you to other appropriate professional services if requested
• Guarantee your privacy and confidentiality at all times

We care for people of all faith and no faith traditions, cultures and spiritual beliefs. Cabrini pastoral services are available across all of our facilities, and increasingly, in the home at no charge. 

“Thank you to all staff members who came to give our father support during his stay at Cabrini. The power of prayer is mighty and we feel blessed by his recovery.”

 “Without your care, guidance, prayers and support I believe that recovery would not have been as successful.”

“I feel like I am finally coming out of the fog. Thanks for your care.”

Download our brochure or contact us at pastoralservices@cabrini.com.au for more information.

We understand that the loss of a loved one can come with an intense feeling of grief. Grieving is a natural and healthy response to loss, however the experience may affect you on many levels and it can be very challenging.

Bereavement is the specific experience of loss following the death of someone who is important to you. In bereavement, you may face many difficult questions such as:

If wondering what are the next steps after a death of a family member or friend - Click here 

Bereavement Support Program

In the months and years following a death, most people find a way forward. After a period of time you can begin to live a meaningful life once more. To help you in this process we have developed a 12 month, five-step Bereavement Support Program at Cabrini. 

The program is available to next of kin and primary carers at Cabrini’s acute and palliative hospitals and includes next of kin of Cabrini’s palliative home care patients.

Other useful resources

The Pastoral Care and Bereavement Support team honours and remembers those patients who have died at Cabrini. We offer solace and comfort to those who have lost a loved one with three memorial services across the year. This is a time where families and loved ones can gather in the Chapel to grieve together and acknowledge the loved one’s they have lost. In 2022 we are unable to share this service with you due to Covid restrictions, instead, we offer a recorded service.

Watch the recorded service below

Testimonial from the husband of a patient who died at Cabrini:

"The readings were beautiful and the whole thing was very welcoming, it didn’t matter what faith you were. The memorial book was very special, especially having it next to the candle, I appreciated that. The songs and the choir were wonderful.”

Stanley Hodgson

2022 Memorial Services for Malvern

Pastoral and Bereavement Services also co-ordinate an extended ministry team of authorised volunteers and accredited members of spiritual traditions and faiths to meet your sacramental needs.

This includes Catholic sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, Holy Communion, anointing and matrimony. Our Jewish patients are offered a Shabbos Box each Friday morning to acknowledge the weekly Jewish Sabbath.

Our Cabrini Extended Ministry Team includes but not limited to the following faith based traditions: 

Mindfulness meditation sessions

• Brighton    Wednesdays  2.00 pm
• Prahran     Thursdays    1.00 pm
• Malvern     Fridays         1.00pm

Meditation, Reflection and Prayer Resources

• Catholic Australia prayer resource
• Daily prayer 
• How to meditate?
• Spiritual Health Victoria - multi-faith resources 
• Visit the Centre for Action and Contemplation website for daily meditations

For any additional resources, please contact the Pastoral and Bereavement Services department on (03) 9111 7421 or email to pastoralbereavementservices@cabrini.com.au.