Coping During the Pandemic

Coping During the Pandemic Playlists

View video playlists related to specific topics, including both participants and grief professionals. Use the controls at the top-left to navigate videos within each playlist or use the larger arrows to view additional playlists.

Grief Stories features short videos, podcast interviews, and blog posts offering ideas for coping with grief. The tools and activities on this website are intended to be used as a resource for people who are grieving, those who are supporting grievers and healthcare professionals. The information provided is NOT meant to be a substitute for professional therapy.

All content, including our videos, is vetted by health care experts.

Grief Involves Powerful Emotions.

Experiencing loss during the pandemic includes all the usual challenges of grief. It also involves navigating on-going changes and uncertainty that impact how we honour and remember someone who has died.

From isolation during illness to restrictions on gatherings for funerals and memorials, all aspects of loss are affected. At the same time, we're coping with anxiety and struggles in our day-to-day lives brought on by the realities of the pandemic. At Grief Stories, we're grateful for the support of Northumberland United Way in creating supportive content for those experiencing loss during the pandemic.

Content Funded By

Northumberland United Way logo

Northumberland United Way

We are thankful for the Northumberland United Way Grant Funding that was distributed to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community.

Pandemic-Related Blog

Thinking About Death and Dying

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Though everyone eventually dies, it can be difficult to think about death and dying and many…

Anticipatory Grief During a Pandemic

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Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW It is 2020 and the world is gripped by a relentless pandemic. The news is filled…

Lake in a forest

When You Can’t Be There As a Loved One Dies

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Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW There are times when we have some warning that a loved one is dying. We can…

Practical Possibilities for Mourning in a Pandemic

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Practical Possibilities for Mourning in a Pandemic When someone we care about dies, we have a…

All Pandemic-Related Videos

Coping during the pandemic
  • Coping during the pandemic

Andrea – My Story

Andrea – My Story

Andrea shares her story of losing her husband during a pandemic

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean discusses belief systems and traditions

Karyn and Aidan – Support from others

Karyn and Aidan – Support from others

Karyn and Aidan discuss how family, friends, and people they didn't know in the community supported them.Talking, meals, dog walking are among the things that made a huge difference.

Kim – Some cry some don’t

Kim – Some cry some don’t

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

Zoreena – Ask for help

Zoreena – Ask for help

Zoreena explains how important it is to ask for help

Zoreena – COVID and isolation

Zoreena – COVID and isolation

Zoreena discusses COVID isolation and the loss of time to spend with her Dad and her cousin

Nicole – Pandemic Leads to Increase in Drug Poisoning

Nicole – Pandemic Leads to Increase in Drug Poisoning

Nicole discusses the increase in drug poisonings during the pandemic due to a number of factors.

Karyn and Aidan – Going forward

Karyn and Aidan – Going forward

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

Michele – Covid and virtual support

Michele – Covid and virtual support

MIchele discuss support and how COVID has affected our grief in so many ways

Lynda – “Old age home and guilt”

Lynda – “Old age home and guilt”

Lynda discusses how hard it is during the pandemic to have a loved on in an old age home