Death and Grief During a Pandemic

Collective Grief

When the death of a person affects many members in a community, city, country, or across the world, people will experience collective grief.

These are some things that can help people through the experience of collective grief across a community.

Jean – Coping

Jean shares how coping can be complicated

Kim – Self care

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

Karyn and Aidan – Hospital and the COVID restrictions

Karyn and Aidan talk about the challenges of the restrictions and the impact of COVID patients on John’s care

Michele – Talks about being a death doula

Michele explains what death doula’s do. Doula means servant. They support people on many different levels… for instance, emotionally, spiritually and physically

Jane – Preparing for another loss

Jane talks about her experience with another grandparent dying after losing two grandparents over the last few years.

Christian – Language around those pushed to the margins

Christian talks about how people who are pushed to the margins are not discussed as part of our community and how we need to include them. As a community how do we care for our neighbours and how do we mourn the loss of our neighbours

Nicole – Power of Speaking About Lost Ones

Nicole discusses the importance of sharing memories of those lost to drug poisoning and speaking their names.

Andrea – Loneliness and support

Andrea talks about how tough it is to be alone and how her friends and family have come through for her

Maureen – “Permission to mourn”

Maureen explains about grief being valid and how important it is to look after yourself.

Karyn and Aidan – Support.

Karyn and Aidan discuss how much the support they received helped

Lynda – “The importance of getting professional help”

Lynda discusses the many ways professionals can help.