Grief and Loss During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought our world a series of unexpected challenges. For those who have lost loved ones during this time, the grieving process has been complicated by the inability to say goodbye in the usual way. No funeral. No gathering of family and friends to share memories. For families of veterans, no military honors. This can all make the loss that much harder to bear.
Focus on the Family put together a fabulous article titled, “Grief During COVID-19: We’re Isolated But Not Abandoned.” It address the challenges people feel when they are “sorrowing in isolation.” This article provides four ways to help us deal with our grief during this time:
- Voice our grief publicly (don’t keep it inside)
- Purposefully interrupt ourselves to make grief a priority (take the time off you need)
- Be gentle with ourselves (pay attention to anger and depression and seek help when needed)
- Remember your loved one
In the weeks since we lost my father-in-law to COVID-19, this advice has proved helpful. Yes, we are grieving the loss of our loved one differently, but we can take time for self-care, we can share our memories–even if it is via video chat, and we can still let people know what we are dealing with.
Taking time to journal and spend time in the garden have been helpful, as is spending time in the Word. Nothing is as inspiring–at least to me–as reading a verse that reminds me of God’s love for us.
On this Memorial Day, I ask you to take a moment to reflect on the lives of our brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom here and abroad. Please join me to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. God bless you and God bless America.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~ John 15:13
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Cheryl. People are so busy debating whether or not to reopen, wear masks, etc., that it’s easy to forget about those who have lost loved ones from this disease. My sympathies to your family.
Thanks, Crystal. Despite the challenges, there have been blessings along the way. Many of us who have lost loved ones at the Soldiers’ Home have connected via Facebook, which makes sharing your grief easier because everyone understands.
So sorry to hear of your loss…praying you will find peace and comfort and strength. Thank you for this lifeline of hope.
Thank you, Nancy. So many families have been impacted during this time. It’s good to know help is out there.
Cheryl, so sorry for your loss. Praying for God to cover you and your family in His love and peace.
Thanks, Melissa. God is always near, it is up to us to find Him. One of the ways He blessed us is with taking Harry home on Easter Monday, which is a special time in the Greek Orthodox church.
I’m sorry for your loss…Praying for your comfort!
Thank you, Mindy.
Pingback:Blogging at Christian Children’s Authors | The Children's and Teens' Book Connection
So sorry to learn about your father-in-law’s passing, and the timing that keeps you from gathering with family. Thank you for sharing your heart with others for ways to deal with grief during these “pandemic” times.
Thanks, Janice. It is an odd time to lose someone. My former brother-in-law just passed away at the end of May. His poor kids weren’t even allowed to see him. They were denied burying him in the veteran’s cemetery. It’s just making things so much harder.