Coping During the Pandemic

Coping During the Pandemic Playlists

View video playlists related to specific topics, including both participants and grief professionals. Use the controls at the top-left to navigate videos within each playlist or use the larger arrows to view additional playlists.

Grief Stories features short videos, podcast interviews, and blog posts offering ideas for coping with grief. The tools and activities on this website are intended to be used as a resource for people who are grieving, those who are supporting grievers and healthcare professionals. The information provided is NOT meant to be a substitute for professional therapy.

All content, including our videos, is vetted by health care experts.

Grief Involves Powerful Emotions.

Experiencing loss during the pandemic includes all the usual challenges of grief. It also involves navigating on-going changes and uncertainty that impact how we honour and remember someone who has died.

From isolation during illness to restrictions on gatherings for funerals and memorials, all aspects of loss are affected. At the same time, we're coping with anxiety and struggles in our day-to-day lives brought on by the realities of the pandemic. At Grief Stories, we're grateful for the support of Northumberland United Way in creating supportive content for those experiencing loss during the pandemic.

Content Funded By

Northumberland United Way logo

Northumberland United Way

We are thankful for the Northumberland United Way Grant Funding that was distributed to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community.

Pandemic-Related Blog

Thinking About Death and Dying

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Though everyone eventually dies, it can be difficult to think about death and dying and many…

Anticipatory Grief During a Pandemic

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW It is 2020 and the world is gripped by a relentless pandemic. The news is filled…

Practical Possibilities for Mourning in a Pandemic

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Practical Possibilities for Mourning in a Pandemic When someone we care about dies, we have a…

Lake in a forest

When You Can’t Be There As a Loved One Dies

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW There are times when we have some warning that a loved one is dying. We can…

All Pandemic-Related Videos

Coping during the pandemic
  • Coping during the pandemic

Zoreena – Tribute

Zoreena – Tribute

Zoreena talks about tributes, family, pulling together and not being able to have a funeral

Nicole – Pandemic Leads to Increase in Drug Poisoning

Nicole – Pandemic Leads to Increase in Drug Poisoning

Nicole discusses the increase in drug poisonings during the pandemic due to a number of factors.

Zoreena – Passing on kindness

Zoreena – Passing on kindness

Zoreena talks about wakes, funerals, COVID and the importance of kindness

Jane – Connection, place, and grief

Jane – Connection, place, and grief

Jane talks about the difference between living alone in Toronto while grieving during the pandemic compared to her experience once she moved closer to her family in Northumberland.

Christian – COVID amplified the inequities in society

Christian – COVID amplified the inequities in society

Christian talks about those that have very little and how COVID amplified their difficulties

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean discusses belief systems and traditions

Marija – Types of Loss in a Pandemic

Marija – Types of Loss in a Pandemic

Marija explains how all of the losses we experience during a pandemic are compounded

Kate – COVID and grieving with my parents

Kate – COVID and grieving with my parents

Kate shares about how COVID was stress on top of dealing with the loss of her brother

Kim – Self care

Kim – Self care

Kim talks about looking after yourself and how much it helps. In particular be kind to yourself

Marija – Grieving Situational Losses in a Pandemic

Marija – Grieving Situational Losses in a Pandemic

Marija talks about feelings associated with grief and Covid