FAQs for grief/bereavement

Someone I care about has died from Covid-19, and I’m struggling to cope. What should I do?

A death from Covid-19 can result in a challenging kind of bereavement due to some of the factors below:

Little time to prepare for a loved one’s death;
No time spent with a loved one before they died (risk of infection and social distancing rules);
An inability to say goodbye (restrictions around attending funerals, public gatherings and travel);
Isolation issues (grieving while separated from family and friends);
Practical challenges (if the person had ongoing caring/work/family responsibilities);
Issues around coping with a bereavement at a time when you, or others in your support network, may also be ill with Covid-19.

For information, advice and further sources of support for yourself and the bereaved person please refer to this helpful guide developed by the Student Wellbeing Service: Bereavement and Grief Guide

In addition, the charity Sudden has produced covid-19 specific bereavement advice which can be accessed as follows:

COVID-19 bereavement - advice for people who have been bereaved

COVID-19 bereavement - advice if you are caring for a bereaved person

Someone I care about is struggling to cope with a recent bereavement due to Covid-19, and I feel helpless. What can I do to help?

However, a death from Covid-19 can result in a challenging kind of bereavement due to some of the factors below:

Little time to prepare for a loved one’s death;
No time spent with a loved one before they died (risk of infection and social distancing rules);
An inability to say goodbye (restrictions around attending funerals, public gatherings and travel);
Isolation issues (grieving while separated from family and friends);
Practical challenges (if the person had ongoing caring/work/family responsibilities);
Issues around coping with a bereavement at a time when you, or others in your support network, may also be ill with Covid-19.

For information, advice and further sources of support for yourself and the bereaved person please refer to this helpful guide developed by the Student Wellbeing Service: Bereavement and Grief Guide.

In addition, the charity Sudden has produced covid-19 specific bereavement advice which can be accessed as follows:

COVID-19 bereavement - advice for people who have been bereaved

COVID-19 bereavement - advice if you are caring for a bereaved person

Someone I was close to has died and I am struggling to cope, what should I do?

Bereavement, or grief, is a term used to describe the sense of loss felt when someone close to us, or who we care about, dies. This sense of loss may contain a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, guilt, frustration and anxiety. It can be a difficult and stressful process.

Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no 'normal' or 'right' way to grieve.

For information, advice and further sources of support with the way you are feeling please refer to this helpful guide developed by the Student Wellbeing Service: Bereavement and Grief Guide

Someone in my family has died. My other family members seem to be coping a lot better that I am. Is there something wrong with me?

Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no 'normal' or 'right' way to grieve. This sense of loss may contain a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, guilt, frustration and anxiety. It can be a difficult and stressful process.

The unique way that we react may be influenced by many different things, such as our age and personality, our cultural background and religious beliefs, our previous experiences of bereavement, our current circumstances and how we cope with loss.

For information, advice and further sources of support with the way you are feeling please refer to this helpful guide developed by the Student Wellbeing Service: Bereavement and Grief Guide

Someone I care about is struggling to cope with a recent bereavement and I feel helpless. What can I do to help?

Whether you are a family member, friend, neighbour, charity volunteer or a professional, you have an important role in supporting a bereaved person. Research tells us that human kindness, and caring behaviours, at this time can be a big help to bereaved people. You do not need to be a professional or have significant training or experience to give help and support. However, caring for someone who is bereaved can be challenging, therefore, it’s important to look after your own well-being too.

For information, advice and further sources of support please refer to this helpful guide developed by the Student Wellbeing Service: Bereavement and Grief Guide