‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a rapid qualitative study

Abstract

Dealing with excess death in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the question of a ‘good or bad death’ into sharp relief as countries across the globe have grappled with multiple peaks of cases and mortality; and communities mourn those lost. In the UK, these challenges have included the fact that mortality has adversely affected minority communities. Corpse disposal and social distancing guidelines do not allow a process of mourning in which families and communities can be involved in the dying process. This study aimed to examine the main concerns of faith and non-faith communities across the UK in relation to death in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team used rapid ethnographic methods to examine the adaptations to the dying process prior to hospital admission, during admission, during the disposal and release of the body, during funerals and mourning. The study revealed that communities were experiencing collective loss, were making necessary adaptations to rituals that surrounded death, dying and mourning and would benefit from clear and compassionate communication and consultation with authorities.

Ethical and sociocultural challenges in managing dead bodies during epidemics and natural disasters

“… 20 31 Moreover, many people died alone in hospital, which is perceived as ‘a bad death’, and their loved ones were forced to mourn in isolation, which has negative psychological effects. 7 31 The literature reports the potential psychological impact of these pandemic losses. Enabling the living to find closure by at least giving them some semblance of a funeral ritual is an integral part of the balance between managing the dead and helping the living.…”

“…Logan 94 discussed, for example, a number of ways bushfire deaths in Australia are commemorated by the local communities and nationally. Simpson et al , 7 in their study on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, concluded that the pandemic was ‘as a traumatic period of national loss that transcended ethnic or religious boundaries’ and recommended the collective memorialisation such as a national day of mourning to recognise the trauma of those deaths. Such efforts should be made to incorporate such events in crises.…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, some deaths have been perceived as ‘bad deaths’. 7 31 Many have died in isolation in hospital with no family or friends present due to safety restrictions; instead, they were accompanied by healthcare professionals, and so their deaths may not have been peaceful. Bereaved family members are reported to be suffering emotional uncertainty from an ambiguous loss, and this suffering is aggravated by the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 restrictions.…”

“…These efforts could be made in collaboration with researchers. As argued by Simpson et al 7 in their study on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, the use of rapid ethnographic methods has proven efficient in making direct recommendations for policymaking. Finally, this review has identified a gap in the research on dead bodies in pandemics and natural disasters.…”

Lived Experiences of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients About Death and Dying: A Descriptive Phenomenology

“…However, in COVID-19 pandemic preventive rules and restrictions limits performing religious services for dying patients as well as for their families. Studies reported the importance of religious rituals for peace dying and their family ( Hamid & Jahangir, 2020 ; Simpson et al, 2021 ). Besides, elderly people are more likely willing to perform religious rites at the time of death to achieve peace during death.…”