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

Anticipatory Grief During a Pandemic

Posted in

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

Posted in

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

Ways to Mourn During the Pandemic

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Ways to Mourn During the Pandemic The restrictions related to the global pandemic are intended to…

Grieving Through Another Pandemic Holiday Season

Posted in

Post by Maureen Pollard, MSW, RSW Grieving Through Another Pandemic Holiday Season This is our second year collectively facing a crisis across…

All Pandemic-Related Videos

Coping during the pandemic
  • Coping during the pandemic

Holly – Singing in the last days

Holly – Singing in the last days

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

Christian – COVID amplified the inequities in society

Christian – COVID amplified the inequities in society

Christian talks about those that have very little and how COVID amplified their difficulties

Maureen – “Permission to mourn”

Maureen – “Permission to mourn”

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

Kim – Support at the hospital

Kim – Support at the hospital

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

Nicole – Stigma Surrounding Drug Use

Nicole – Stigma Surrounding Drug Use

Nicole discusses how the stigma around drug use has an impact on how people feel able to grieve when those in their community are lost.

Andrea – Dealing with personal belongings

Andrea – Dealing with personal belongings

Andrea discusses dealing with her late husbands personal belongings and the need to purge

Maureen – Isolated in a nursing home

Maureen – Isolated in a nursing home

Maureen talks about her father-in-law isolated and palliative during the pandemic

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.

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Grieving as a Community

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Grieving as a Community

Nicole discusses the ways the pandemic has affected the way people grieve as a community.

Karyn and Aidan – Planning a celebration of life during COVID

Karyn and Aidan – Planning a celebration of life during COVID

Karyn and Aidan discuss creating a celebrating of life during the pandemic