8 actions to help you cope with the loss of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eight actions you can take to help you cope with the loss of a loved one while practicing social distancing and honoring your loved one.

News 12 Staff

Jul 1, 2020, 5:16 PM

Updated 1,565 days ago

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Grief is a universal emotion, but no two people experience grief in exactly the same way.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eight actions you can take to help you cope with the loss of a loved one while practicing social distancing and honoring your loved one:
1. Invite people to call you, or host conference calls with family members and friends to stay connected.
2. Ask family and friends to share stories and pictures with you via phone, video chat, email, text message, photo sharing apps, social media, or mailed letters.
3. Create a virtual memory book, blog, or webpage to remember your loved one, and ask family and friends to contribute their memories and stories.
4. Coordinate a date and time for family and friends to honor your loved one by reciting a selected poem, spiritual reading, or prayer from within their own households. Some cultures practice a prolonged mourning period with multiple observances, so hosting virtual events now and in-person events later may be in keeping with these practices.
5. Seek spiritual support from faith-based organizations, including religious leaders and congregations, if applicable. People who are not part of a faith tradition or religious community can seek support from other trusted community leaders and friends.
6. Use grief counseling services, support groups, or hotlines, especially those that can be offered over the phone or online, or seek support from a mental healthcare provider.
7. Read books about grief and loss. If you have children, read age-appropriate books with them and talk with them about how they are feeling.
8. Take part in an activity that has significance to you and the loved one you have lost, such as planting flowers or a tree or preparing a favorite meal, in memory of your loved one.
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