Death and Grief 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

Zoreena – Burnout and counseling

Zoreena talks about her father’s decline in a nursing home during COVID

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

Jean – It’s all about love

Jean talks about losing her husband to a heart attack on valentines day

Sunny- Processing Different Losses During the Pandemic

Maureen – Compounded grief during a pandemic

Maureen discusses how grief can be compounded during a pandemic

Christian – Grieving the whole person

Christian talks about how we choose remember people when there has been a loss to drug poisoning

Kate – COVID and grieving with my parents

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

Karyn and Aidan – Going forward

Karyn and Aidan talk about Aidan’s wedding after John died and how they continue to cope

Kim – Some cry some don’t

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

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean discusses belief systems and traditions