Six ways to cope with grief, why you must leave nothing unsaid

Tears running off the face of a young woman [Photo: Shutterstock]

Losing a loved one is an inevitable part of life, but one for which we are rarely prepared – finding ourselves powerless in the face of one of our most intense emotions. And so we turn to rituals such as funerals to regain control and to formally say goodbye.But strict restrictions due to Covid-19 have left many people missing out on these important moments, including even holding a relative’s hand as they pass away.

And with lives lost due to the virus, more people are grieving than ever. Linda Magistris, chief executive of The Good Grief Trust, says her charity has seen calls soaring. “People haven’t been able to say goodbye properly, nor reach out for human support,” says Linda. “They’ve been left to cope alone. Even stages like sorting through possessions are put on hold - you can’t move forward. It’s tragic, and will cause a tsunami of mental health problems.” Despite the difficulties, there are strategies you can use to ease such painful times.