Understanding Grief During the First-Wave of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom—A Hypothetical Approach to Challenges and Support

Abstract

Purpose: This article develops immediate understandings of loss and grief at both an individual and collective level following the first-wave of COVID-19 in the UK. This allows for insights into the likely challenges and support for loss and grief in facing unprecedented disruption and uncertainty. Ultimately, it explores avenues for the priorities to inform better bereavement support.Methods: By examining trusted media data and carefully selected academic literature, we analyse both individual and societal responses to loss and grief in the novel context of the first-wave of COVID-19 in the UK. The discussion relocates the ideas of good and bad deaths in the context of increased social constrains and inequalities. Further, two pairs of contrasting hypotheses are proposed to examine how the UK's first-wave outbreak has shaped policy and practical structures and how these have further impacted experiences of loss and grief both at an individual and collective level.Findings: The discussion captures a mixed picture of loss and grief in the UK, which highlights the importance of timely, holistic, and continuous support both in social policy and care provision. It is found that individuals and collectives express diverse needs in response to deaths and losses as a process of meaning-making. Further, the significance of socio-cultural environments also become evident. These findings highlight community support during the outbreak and further promote a grief literate culture as imperative to support individual and collective needs when confronted with loss and grief.Conclusion: This article provides a timely and comprehensive account of possible challenges and support both for individual and collective experiences of loss and grief at a time of unprecedented social restrictions and mass deaths in the UK. These understandings provide a base from which we advocate the priorities for future research into the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on grief and bereavement.

Same storm, different boat: The global impact of COVID‐19 on palliative care

“…Another theme that emerged revolved around ubiquitous death, grief, and bereavement. The pandemic has precipitated a series of losses, both individually and collectively 22 . We have lost our sense of safety, livelihoods, lives, and loved ones 22,23 .…”

“…Yet the pandemic has impacted not merely those who have lost a loved one to COVID‐19, but all people who lost a loved one in the recent past, even to non‐COVID‐related illnesses 26 . First, family members are unable to witness the medical care provided, say their final goodbyes, or pay their last respects to their dying loved ones 22 . Myriad images exist of healthcare providers holding up a smart phone to the patient as families say their final goodbyes virtually 27 .…”

“…The pandemic has precipitated a series of losses, both individually and collectively. 22 We have lost our sense of safety, livelihoods, lives, and loved ones. 22,23 Deaths have been dehumanized, often occurring in isolation, with infection control protocols restricting access of family members.…”

“…22 We have lost our sense of safety, livelihoods, lives, and loved ones. 22,23 Deaths have been dehumanized, often occurring in isolation, with infection control protocols restricting access of family members. In this way, the pandemic has amplified suffering, putting the world at risk of complicated grief and bereavement.…”

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“…The pandemic has drawn attention to the need to develop grief literate societies and compassionate communities ( Table 1 ). Although there is no single solution for assisting someone who is grieving, we provided some tips that may allow for mutual understandings and interdependent support both in the bereaved's day-to-day settings, as well as in broader society (Fang and Comery, 2021 ; Breen et al, 2022 ).…”