Death and Grief During a Pandemic

Marija – Feeling Disenfranchised Grief in a Pandemic

Marija talks about disenfranchised grief and Covid

What I know about grief

The following are some things I know to be true about grief for me, based on my lived experience. Some of them may resonate with you as well. Grief is unique to the people experiencing it in each moment, so please take whatever makes sense to you from this share and leave whatever doesn’t.

Maureen – Funeral during the pandemic

Maureen talks about funeral arrangements during a pandemic

Karyn and Aidan – Support.

Karyn and Aidan discuss how much the support they received helped

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?”

What Does Grief Support Look Like?

When we experience significant, on-going symptoms of grief that interfere with our adjustment to the reality of our loss, it can be time to seek professional help. It can be difficult to know where to find help and what grief support options are available.

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Safe Spaces and Mental Health Access

Nicole discusses how the pandemic affected access to safe spaces and shelters for those living rough and living with addiction.

Maureen – “Permission to mourn”

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

Jean – What grief feels like physically

Jean discusses the physical effects she has experienced in grief

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

Michele – Normalizing conversations around death dying grief and loss

Michele discusses grief literacy, the importance of talking and that dying is a part of life

Maureen – End stages during a pandemic

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