How to Deal With Death of a Loved One Due to Covid

Dr Priya R Nair, Consultant Psychiatrist

mental health is important to fight covid pandemic

In this Blog We talk about something many of us do not want to think about, yet which may be driving much of our fear and panic at this time – losing a loved one to COVID-19. We approach the topic gently and with empathy, sharing crucial steps you can take if you’re faced with the death of a loved one.

What Happens If a Loved One Is Hospitalised With Covid-19?

Death is a scary subject, so we tend to avoid it at all costs. While we as a world are currently fighting against it with all our might. it’s crucial that we not neglect those who may need our help through it, so that where we find it impossible to preserve life, it may make its ending - for both the person and their loved one - as gentle and humane as possible. If your loved one falls ill with COVID-19 and needs to be hospitalised, make sure to stay connected. “Even though it’s incredibly tough, let them talk about death if it’s on their mind. They may be trying to work through fears, repair relationships, settle affairs, feel more prepared… It’s okay for you to think about these things too. It doesn’t mean that you want [death] to happen or that by thinking about it you’ll make it happen.

Being honest and open at this time can allow us the opportunity to say the things we may later wish we’d said, especially if our loved one’s condition worsens suddenly. If you get the chance, take the time to say goodbye

How to Deal With a Loved One’s Death

Dealing with the loss of a loved one at any time is distressing. Losing someone during the coronavirus pandemic, whether to COVID-19 or to other causes, will bring additional challenges. Here, we look at things you can do to help cope with grief over the loss of a loved one during this difficult time.

Grief in an Uncertain Time

It’s normal for feelings of grief over a bereavement to be more pronounced when coupled with the uncertainty caused by an event such as the coronavirus pandemic. They may also be accompanied by feelings of frustration or anger. It will come and revisit you. And you'll adjust to it differently when it comes back. You'll feel different about it in one year, in five years and in 20 years. It will be a part of your life because we are talking about attachment, relationships and love.

Saying Goodbye in Different Ways

If you were not able to say goodbye in person, you still find a way to farewell the person who has passed, for it is an essential step in coping with grief.

"In your own time, find yourself a quiet place to be alone and say your goodbyes. Say what you wanted to say to them as if they were still there. The where and how don’t really matter because the goodbye is a conversation you have in your heart."

For those with a loved one who looks like they might pass away in hospital, he says, while you may not be able to visit them, there are a lot of things you can still do to say goodbye.A good place to start is to speak to hospital staff about what is possible.You may be able to pass messages on to them or photographs, letters or religious tokens.It’s those small things that are a piece of yourself. And as long as there's a piece of yourself, then you are there and that's important for managing your anxiety and your grief.

Funeral Services

Current physical distancing measures mean funeral services are profoundly different at this time. There are limits on the number of people who can attend, those who do attend must sit apart and catering is not permitted on site. It’s important to recognise that these are things outside of our control, and equally important to focus on the things that we can control.

For those organising the service, this might mean enquiring about a live stream or recording of the service, arranging a digital guest book, or sharing messages from those not present. It may mean planning for a larger memorial service so friends and family can come together when the pandemic has passed to honour your loved one.

If You Have Lost Someone to or During Covid-19

Remember That Grief Is a Natural and Ongoing Response to Loss:It can be more pronounced in uncertain times such as these. Try not to be afraid of any emotion you experience.
Grieve Your Way:No-one can tell you how to feel.
Stay Connected:Seek support from people you trust through the use of phone and video calling technology. Say goodbye. Find quiet time to be alone and say goodbye to your loved one in your own way.
Understand That a Funeral During Covid-19 Will Be Different: Try to focus on what you can control.
Be Prepared:There will be events and moments in future that will trigger your memories and sadness.
Understand That You Will Heal: In time you will learn to live with your loss, heal and move forward in new and different ways.

When to get professional help

If you are grieving and think you may need therapy, here are some signs to look for:

Is it impossible to believe or accept that your loved one is gone?
Is your grief getting stronger and stronger with time instead of easing up?
Have you started thinking life is pointless, meaningless or not worth living?
Are you feeling scared, anxious or having panic attacks?
Do you feel tormented by guilt or regret?
Are you endlessly concerned with thoughts of your loved one you can’t get away from?
What about feeling numb or disconnected?
Do you find yourself wishing you could die?
Do you battle to care for yourself, to do the things you need to do in your life?

If you find yourself saying yes after and if you’re not sure how to do that, Call at Neya Psychiatric Clinic, We provide high-quality and effective Psychotherapy Counseling Services for children, teens, and adults.

At the Neya Psychiatric Clinic in Hyderabad, we know that state-of-the-art, evidence-based therapy and innovative psychiatry is paramount to your success. That’s why we prioritize exceptional personal service along with outstanding clinical treatment and medication management.

Call us to book an Appointment for Psychotherapy at Neya Psychiatric Clinic, our mobile no. Is +91-7780364028, you can also Email us for an appointment. Our email ID is - info@drpriyanair.com

Conclusions and Beginnings

Losing a loved one is hard under normal circumstances and experiencing the loss of your loved one during this pandemic is extraordinarily difficult. As you begin your grief journey, encourage you to reflect on memories with your loved one and the particular gifts they brought to your life. We do not get over grief, we get through it. It is important that we honor our dead and share our grief into the future. This pandemic will end, but our love for those we have lost will not. After a death, we move forward into a world that has changed personally and permanently, but we do not leave our loved ones behind. We carry them with us, with the knowledge that our bonds cannot be broken, even by death.

Dr Priya R Nair
Consultant Psychiatrist

Neya Psychiatric Clinic
Hyderabad