Death and Grieving in a Changing Landscape

Facing the Death of a Loved One and Experiencing Grief during COVID-19

Authors

  • Karen Murphy Weston Hospicecare

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41578

Keywords:

COVID-19, death, grieving, chaplain, Weston Hospicecare

Abstract

This article is a reflection of a palliative care chaplain’s experiences of supporting people through grief and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. People have died without the support of loved ones present; funerals have been conducted in a very different manner to the usual practice; and many people’s experience of grief and bereavement has been challenging. The role of the chaplain is explored and discussed in relation to spiritual care provision. The author also acknowledges that the repercussions from COVID-19 have presented a challenge for many people who are grieving and experiencing bereavement.

Author Biography

  • Karen Murphy, Weston Hospicecare

    Karen Murphy is a Chaplain and the Spiritual Lead at Weston Hospicecare Ltd., Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK and President of the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, UK.

References

Gordon, T. (2009) “Reflections on Aspects of Health, Wholeness, Suffering and Healing”. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 12, 2, 60-62.

Lee, E. (1995) A Good Death. A guide for patients and carers facing terminal illness at home. Rosen Dale Press.

www.hospiceuk.org

www.macmillian.org.uk

www.dyingmatters.org

Warden, W. (1983) Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy. Brunner Routledge.

Ward, T. (2012) Alternative Pastoral Prayers. Canterbury Press.

Murphy, K and Whorton, B. ed. (2017) Chaplaincy in Hospice and Palliative Care. Jessica Kingsley Press.

Murray Parkes, C. (1972) Bereavement: studies of grief in adult life. Penguin.

Rumbold, B. ed (2002) Spirituality and Palliative care, social and pastoral perspectives. Oxford University Press.

Deedes, R. (2019) Into the Depths. A chaplain’s reflection on Death, Dying and Pastoral Care. Sacristy Press.

www.macmillian.org.uk

www.dyingmatters.org

Warden, W. (1983) Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy. Brunner Routledge.

Ward, T. (2012) Alternative Pastoral Prayers. Canterbury Press.

Downloads

Published

2020-09-14

Issue

Section

Professional Reflection

How to Cite

Murphy, K. (2020). Death and Grieving in a Changing Landscape: Facing the Death of a Loved One and Experiencing Grief during COVID-19. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 8(2), 240-250. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41578