Effects of COVID-19 on the Grieving Process

Effects of COVID-19 on the Grieving Process

September 4, 2020

In many cultures and religions, remembering a loved one after their passing involves a large gathering of people. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended traditional memorial plans by restricting the size of crowds and encouraging social distancing practices. As the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus, many people have questions about the burial process during a pandemic in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Grieving during a worldwide pandemic

Combining funerals and social distancing in Phillipsburg, NJ seems impossible. Family members and friends want to gather to pay their respects and say goodbye to the deceased. The CDC still recommends distancing interactions with people you do not share a home with to a minimum of six feet. They’re also encouraging funeral attendees to wear masks throughout the service and avoid handing out programs or prayer books.

To limit the number of people attending a funeral, many stay home to allow the family to grieve without worrying about spreading COVID-19. This leaves many mourners without an outlet for productively expressing their grief.

Keep in mind that you may experience delayed or ambiguous grief if you’re unable to attend a loved one’s funeral. The distance makes it extremely hard to connect with the reality of losing someone you loved. You might even feel guilty about not attending the memorial, or about your delayed response. Focus on remembering the person you cared about instead of dwelling on the guilt.

Create a contact-free way to grieve together

When someone passes away, their family and friends need to be able to share their memories. People want the opportunity to celebrate the life of the person they’ve lost. The COVID-19 pandemic makes this challenging, as funeral guidelines and social distancing in Phillipsburg, NJ prohibit how we interact with others.

Luckily, technology provides many options for getting together without needing a mask or social distancing. Set up a Facebook group where people can post their stories, photos and videos. Host a video conference call where mourners can connect. Create a website dedicated to celebrating the deceased’s life and accomplishments and allow people to submit any information they’d like to share.

Working through grief on your own

Most importantly, you should know you’re never alone when it comes to grief. Connecting with other mourners digitally goes a long way to help the grieving process, but there are other resources you should use to work through your feelings. You might consider grief counseling services. Try reading some of the helpful books written on this topic. Accept that your emotions are valid and allow yourself to feel them. Acknowledge the fact that it’s difficult to accept loss, and that you might still be reeling from the shock of the sad news. We all respond differently in these situations, but be true to yourself and never invalidate your feelings.

As you prepare for the burial process during a pandemic in Phillipsburg, NJ, don’t hesitate to reach out to Phillipsburg Memorial Company with your questions. We’ve helped numerous families memorialize their loved ones since we opened for business in 1939. Contact us now to discuss creating a suitable monument or memorial for your loved one.

Categorised in: