Mourning During COVID-19 Pandemic in Bojnurd, a City in Northeast of Iran: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: The way one mourns varies across different cultures. As such in each society, the mourning rituals in accordance with the culture of that society can alleviate the grieving process. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in many parts of the world, restrictions have been imposed on hosting different ceremonies and events to control the spread of the virus. Since the enforced regulations have made changes to the way mourning is done in these times, an investigation of the experiences of people of different cultures in coping with loss during the current crisis seems to be of importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mourning experiences in north-east of Iran during COVID-19.
 Methods: This is a qualitative study which was conducted by using content analysis. The participants were 11 individuals who had lost a family member due to COVID-19 in Bojnurd in 2020. Sampling was purposive and continued until reaching data saturation. Semi-structured interviews and note-taking were utilized for data collection. The interviews were recorded and the notes were then evaluated.
 Results: After analyzing the collected data and forming semantic units, three main categories and nine sub-categories of unexpressed grief were extracted. Unexpressed bereavement, effects on mental health, and dissatisfaction with services comprise the main categories while lack of farewell opportunity, the emotional burden of COVID-19, strange burial, fear and social stigma, lack of adequate psychological support, emotional trauma and shock, reducing the motivation for life, lack of professional principles in the death announcements, and finally lack of equipment and non-compliance with hygiene standards make up the 9 subcategories.
 Conclusion: The collected evidence concerning the unexpressed grieving experience ensuing from the COVID-19 induced death of a family member reveals such issue to be one of the most important mental health issues during the spread of the virus, which requires the necessary investigation and intervention of the experts in this field.

Nurses' bereavement experiences of a deceased colleague due to COVID‐19: A phenomenological study

“…In this study, colleagues' death was very shocking due to the sudden onset of the COVID epidemic and the high death toll. Being shocked is the first reaction to the death of a loved one (Shoraka et al, 2022 ). As the participants in this study pointed out, facing the loss of a loved one may be a shocking experience.…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, much like in other countries, new policies and guidelines were implemented in Iran regarding the management of bodies, funerals, burials and attendance of customary ceremonies, and under the conditions, all psychological and social support were taken away from mourners as they found themselves alone (Shoraka et al, 2022).…”

“…Sociocultural ties and strong emotional relationships with friends and acquaintances are important in Iranian culture, and the death of acquaintances and colleagues deeply affects people's spirit. In Iran, it is customary that when a colleague dies, other colleagues attend the funeral and walk to a mosque or the deceased person's home to honour him/her, express sympathy to the bereaved family, alleviate their own grief, and use the opportunity to say farewell (Shoraka et al, 2022 ). For most Iranians, mourning is a major emotional and social moment, and it is believed that the details of elaborate religious rituals affect the passage of the deceased from this world to the next world.…”

“…Iranians even organize a spiritual and religious memorial ceremony for the deceased colleague at work and mourn the loved one by reading the Qur'an, reciting surah Al‐Fatiha, and recalling memories of the deceased—all of which can have comforting effects (Bayatrizi et al, 2021 ). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, much like in other countries, new policies and guidelines were implemented in Iran regarding the management of bodies, funerals, burials and attendance of customary ceremonies, and under the conditions, all psychological and social support were taken away from mourners as they found themselves alone (Shoraka et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Literature of reviews showed some studies conducted on the bereavement experience of the general population and the relatives of deceased COVID‐19 patients (Mortazavi et al, 2021 ; Shoraka et al, 2022 ). In many studies, the effects of loss and bereavement have been examined as a part of more general studies of stress or “burnout” experienced by care providers by reason of moribund people (Kostka et al, 2021 ; Lobb et al, 2010 ).…”