The effect of suppressing funeral rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic on bereaved families

Abstract

Objective amidst the greatest health crisis in history triggered by COVID-19, this documental study was intended to understand the meanings individuals who have lost loved ones in this context assign to the phenomenon of suppressed funeral rituals. Method based on the theory of grief, the corpus of this study was composed of documents published in digital media containing personal writings and reports of experiences freely and easily available to the public. Two researchers with expertise in the field used inductive thematic analysis to interpret data. Results the experiences shared in the reports reflect the suffering experienced by the sudden death of a significant person, which is amplified by the absence or impediment to performing familial farewell rituals. The suppression or abbreviation of funeral rituals is a traumatic experience because family members are prevented from fulfilling their last homage to the loved one who has suddenly passed away, causing feelings of disbelief and indignation. Conclusion alternatives and new ways to celebrate passage rituals in emergencies of strong social commotion such as a pandemic are needed to provide support and comfort to family members, friends, and relatives. These rituals help survivors to overcome the critical moment, decreasing the risk of developing complicated grief.

Bereavement in Times of COVID-19: A Review and Theoretical Framework

“… 2 Subsequent to the review, Cardoso et al. (2020) provided qualitative account of the suffering experienced through the suppression or abbreviation of funerals, concluding that alternatives/new ways of commemoration are needed to provide support for the bereaved.…”

Reflection: (Not) feeding the bereaved in the time of coronavirus

“…However, data from the British UBVO survey which ran from June to September 2020 shows that feeding and other forms of social support of the bereaved were complicated through the summer across England; similar disruption to social support has also been shown in other locations by studies directly focusing on death rituals during this time (Bitusikova 2020;Moore et al 2020;Omonisi 2020). For the current disruptions in death practices and grieving due to COVID-19, food is only one part of the puzzle and initial research is suggesting that social distancing and quarantining policies will have major, long-term mental health impacts on the bereaved (Cardoso et al 2020;Gesi et al 2020;Stroebe and Schut 2020). Further and targeted studies might show us both the extent of these disruptions as well as new adaptations which are emerging across cultures and the stages of the pandemic, and how this relates specifically to food practices.…”

Actual Solidarity through Virtual Support: A Pilot Descriptive Study of an Online Support Group for Bereaved Parents

“…The transition of funerals, memorial events, and community death rituals to online platforms during the pandemic may continue to transition not only public health necessity but also cultural acceptance of technology-connected grief gatherings even after the pandemic. 31,32 Although this small study should not be interpreted to imply that online platforms should indefinitely replace inperson support, the study fosters an understanding of parental perspective on participation as acceptable and relational. Alternatives to the language of ''virtual'' such as ''online community'' or ''technology-mediated gathering'' or ''internet connected group'' may be considered as future descriptors of this supportive intervention, particularly as ''actual'' represents an antonym to the word ''virtual.''…”