COVID-19 and Grief : A Chaplain’s Reflection on the Experience of Supporting Bereaved Parents and Widows in Lockdown
Issued Date: 14 Sep 2020
Abstract
COVID-19 has impacted on the experience of those who are grieving and on the work of those who support them. As a newly appointed bereavement chaplain for a community children’s team, I have reflected on the experiences of those I am working with, and on how my role has been impacted by COVID-19. This article looks at several areas where COVID-19 has affected grieving people, both parents and others. I also reflect on my own experience of working with them at this time, the distress this has caused me, and the values and creativity that are leading me forward.
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DOI: 10.1558/hscc.41757
References
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Carey, L. B., Hodgson, T. J., Krikheli, L., Soh, R. Y., Armour, A. R., Singh, T. K., & Impiombato, C. G. (2016). Moral injury, spiritual care and the role of chaplains: An exploratory scoping review of literature and resources. Journal of Religion and Health, 55(4), 1218–1245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0231-x
Drummond, D. A., & Carey, L. B. (2020). Chaplaincy and spiritual care response to COVID-19: An Australian case study – the McKellar Centre. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41243
French, R. (2001). “Negative capability”: Managing the confusing uncertainties of change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 14(5), 480–492. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005876
Hodgson, T. J., & Carey, L. B. (2017). Moral injury and definitional clarity: Betrayal, spirituality and the role of chaplains. Journal of Religion and Health, 56(4), 1212–1228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0407-z
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Leach, J., & Paterson, M. (2014). Three levels of seeing: Appendix 2. In M. Paterson & J. Rose (Eds.), Enriching ministry: Pastoral supervision in practice (pp. 218–219). Canterbury: Canterbury Press.
Nolan, S. (2012). Spiritual care at the end of life: The chaplain as a hopeful presence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Nolan, S. (2020). No healthcare worker should have to cry alone. Nursing Times, Opinion, July 3.
Parkes, C. M. (1980). Bereavement counselling: Does it work? British Medical Journal, 281(3), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.281.6232.3
Stroebe, M. S., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping withbereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 23(3), 197–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/074811899201046
Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief counseling and grief therapy (4th ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826101211
Carey, L. B., Hodgson, T. J., Krikheli, L., Soh, R. Y., Armour, A. R., Singh, T. K., & Impiombato, C. G. (2016). Moral injury, spiritual care and the role of chaplains: An exploratory scoping review of literature and resources. Journal of Religion and Health, 55(4), 1218–1245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0231-x
Drummond, D. A., & Carey, L. B. (2020). Chaplaincy and spiritual care response to COVID-19: An Australian case study – the McKellar Centre. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41243
French, R. (2001). “Negative capability”: Managing the confusing uncertainties of change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 14(5), 480–492. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005876
Hodgson, T. J., & Carey, L. B. (2017). Moral injury and definitional clarity: Betrayal, spirituality and the role of chaplains. Journal of Religion and Health, 56(4), 1212–1228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0407-z
Keats, J. (1817/2002). In J. Gittings & J. Mee (Eds.), John Keats – Selected letters. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kübler-Ross, E. (1970). On death and dying: What the dying have to teach doctors, nurses, clergy & their own families. London: Tavistock.
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. London: Simon & Schuster.
Leach, J., & Paterson, M. (2014). Three levels of seeing: Appendix 2. In M. Paterson & J. Rose (Eds.), Enriching ministry: Pastoral supervision in practice (pp. 218–219). Canterbury: Canterbury Press.
Nolan, S. (2012). Spiritual care at the end of life: The chaplain as a hopeful presence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Nolan, S. (2020). No healthcare worker should have to cry alone. Nursing Times, Opinion, July 3.
Parkes, C. M. (1980). Bereavement counselling: Does it work? British Medical Journal, 281(3), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.281.6232.3
Stroebe, M. S., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping withbereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 23(3), 197–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/074811899201046
Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief counseling and grief therapy (4th ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826101211
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