Death and Grief During a Pandemic

Beauty found at the edges: a portrait of community support

I’d sent a text saying “Hello friends, I’m putting out a call for flowers. I went to public school with Kory, the young man who died in downtown Cobourg this week, and though I hadn’t seen him in recent years, I feel the loss of him on a community level, as I imagine you do, too. Some of Kory’s people are gathering tonight in vigil at the bank where he died, and I’m gathering flowers from those of us who have gardens to share with this grieving community. Do you have some blooms in your garden that you’d be willing to share?”

Corrie – Pandemic of grief

Corrie discusses how much grief there is

Jean – My Story

Jean talks about isolation and grieving during a pandemic

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

Joyce -The pandemics impact on drug poisonings

Joyce talks about drug poisonings during the pandemic

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.

Maureen – Funeral during the pandemic

Maureen talks about funeral arrangements during a pandemic

Kim – Some cry some don’t

Kim discusses how tough COVID made the hospital experience and the support she received

Maureen – End stages during a pandemic

Maureen talks about the end stages of her father-in-law during the pandemic.

Holly – Singing in the last days

Holly talks about her partner’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the pandemic, their decisions, faith and how singing

Laura- What Might Help in Grief

Andrea – Couples versus being single

Andrea talks about becoming single when her husband died