How to cope with bereavement

It is a hard time for people, particularly those who have to face a family bereavement from COVID-19, says the President of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Gihan Abeywardena.

He says that some hospitals do allow close family members to come hold the hand of a critically-ill COVID-19 patient, if they are willing to don masks, gloves and gowns which can easily be bought from a pharmacy. They also need to be able to overcome the fear of catching COVID-19.

Others are allowed to either talk or gaze at a loved one through a two-way communication glass, but of course, when a patient is close to death, he/she would not be able to respond, he says, adding however that the relatives can murmur prayers or blessings, like they would do at their bedside under normal circumstances.

“Sometimes, this helps give closure to the traumatized family members and also to the departing father or mother,” he said, explaining that on the suggestion of microbiologists some hospitals have come up with a system of demarcating a cubicle to which a patient is brought either walking or in a wheelchair, so that he/she can talk to family through a polythene screen. This, however, is not possible if the patient is oxygen dependent.

Dr. Abeywardena dwells on how a family can face the post-bereavement period. If they are in isolation due to exposure to the virus, they need to keep in touch with family and friends through technology.

Once they come out of isolation, they can perform the rites and rituals, according to their religious beliefs, to bestow merit not only on the deceased but also to get peace and solace, he adds.