Coping with a COVID-19 loss is particularly difficult, since due to the security measures, it’s may not be possible to perform the usual rituals according to your cultural and/or religious beliefs, which can hinder the normal process of mourning. If you are wondering how to grieve after losing a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone.
Losing a loved one is always difficult and painful, a unique and personal process. However, the situation we are living in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation is leaving us with painful and difficult consequences to face, particularly for those who have lost a loved one.
You may be facing the following situations:
Coping with a COVID-19 loss can be extremely difficult when you also have to deal with anxiety due to financial problems
Not being able to see your loved one, due to the social distancing rules imposed by the CDC
Restrictions on funeral services. It may be impossible to organize a wake/burial in accordance with the social, cultural and religious values of your family.
Not being able to meet personally with other family members and friends, who are also an important source of love and comfort.
Complicated emotions to handle such as the guilt you may feel thinking that your loved one has died alone and, perhaps, without being able to say goodbye.
Less social and family support as we are used to due to social distancing regulations
To all this is added the fear of contracting the virus, that our relatives will be infected, concern for our loved ones who are estranged from us, financial concerns, among others.
How to deal with this situation?
The Substance Abuse and Menthal Health Services Association (SAMHSA) offers tips and recommendations for those struggling with grief and loss.
It will be especially difficult to accept the reality of loss if you have not been able to be close to your family member in their last moments or participate in the subsequent rituals (funeral, the burial) Grieving and accepting is a process that takes time because it involves not only rational but also emotional acceptance.
The CDC recommends taking care of your mental health and they put together the following list for help during a crisis:
- Call 911
- Disaster Distress : call or text 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).
- National Suicide Prevention : 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis .
- National Domestic Violence : 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse : 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat
- The Eldercare Locator : 1-800-677-1116 TTY Instructions
- Veteran’s Crisis Line : 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255
Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health
- SAMHSA’s National Help : 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889
- Treatment Services Locator Website
- Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Center
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