91原创

A year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, sparking lockdowns and emergency measures across Canada, people from 91原创 to Ottawa were commemorating the lives lost and the new ways they have to grieve all losses over a year defined by the coronavirus.

There have been 22,000 deaths across Canada from COVID-19, of which 1,394 were in B.C. as of March 11, the day the federal government announced the commemorations.

The constant pressure and fear of COVID-19 over the last year has affected the way people deal with grief, according to Linda Sheridan, adult bereavement program coordinator for the 91原创 Hospice Society.

鈥淧eople鈥檚 grief response is affecting their COVID response, and people鈥檚 COVID response is affecting their grief response,鈥� she said.

It鈥檚 about a higher level of fear and worry that鈥檚 on top of grief people are feeling for the death of a loved one.

The state of fear and anxiety is amplifying grief, and there鈥檚 no fallback on family and friends outside of their household.

鈥淧eople are alone more with their grief,鈥� Sheridan said.

The hospice society鈥檚 programs for the grieving have had to be radically rebuilt this year, with meetings via Zoom, or during last summer, distanced in tents on the lawn of the society鈥檚 91原创 City headquarters.

Staff restructured the largest room in their offices to accommodate distanced one-on-one counselling, although masks are still required.

There has been added stress for those who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19 itself, said Sheridan.

They are unable to 鈥渢ake a break鈥� from it, because reminders of COVID are everywhere 鈥� on social media, the news, in the masks and barriers at the grocery store.

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And because much of the news coverage is about statistics 鈥� how many were infected, in hospital, died each day 鈥� it can feel as though the specific death of their loved one is being reduced to a number, Sheridan said.

Ceremonies and religious observances around death and dying are also suffering due to the pandemic.

鈥淥ne of the hardest things has been not having funerals,鈥� said Rev. Andrew Halladay, vicar of St. Andrew鈥檚 Anglican Church in 91原创.

鈥淭here have been a few deaths in our congregation 鈥� not from COVID-19,鈥� Halladay said.

But for much of the spring, and again since November, holding large funerals has been banned under Provincial Health Orders. Since November, funerals are allowed with a maximum of 10 people in person.

Halladay said the church has conducted a few graveside ceremonies and has also done one online funeral that was quite meaningful, using the same technology that allows the congregation to connect for Sunday services.

Even for the small number of people who can gather, there are distancing and masking requirements, Halladay said.

鈥淎ll of that feels really challenging in the context of grieving and sorrow,鈥� he said.

People get angry about the restrictions, wanting a 鈥減roper鈥� funeral for their loved one, he said.

Because most Anglicans are cremated after death, and their ashes scattered in the church garden, some people have held a small service or no formal service, and are planning instead to hold a celebration of life once everyone can gather again, later this year, said Halladay.