As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily life, some ideas on how you can strengthen connections during social distancing. Even though our norms surrounding grief have been upended, we still have ways to support and connect with the people in our lives.
Above all, remember that “social distancing” means practicing physical distancing, but not giving up our social connections. Let’s navigate this new life together.
SUPPORT AND BE SUPPORTED
How to reach out to a grieving friend during social distancing
Starting a conversation with a grieving friend can be difficult on the best of days, and then, of course, enter COVID. Read this helpful guide from grief support guru Alica Forneret with considerations and tips on reaching out when you're stuck inside, "whether you jump right into the grief talk or just want to send along a few emojis."
What to say - 6 text messages that will feel (almost) like a real hug
“Our words can feel like hugs, and can be healing while we’re apart.” When we cannot use physical touch to convey non-verbal intimacy, we must turn to words to bridge the distance. This article suggests six ways to do this by a true expert on the topic - our friend Emma at text-based grief support company Grief Coach.
Do you have to be reasonable when you’re grieving?
As we keep hearing, these are unprecedented times and extraordinary circumstances. Be kind to yourself. We love this beautifully written reflection on her own grief by Megan Devine, a writer and grief advocate.
CELEBRATE YOUR LOVED ONE
Start a hashtag tribute to your loved one on social media
We love this idea from What's Your Grief to share something your person would have loved - a meme, a ridiculous face mask someone has on at the supermarket - whatever you know would have made them smile. Post it on social media along with their name #WouldHaveLovedThis.
We love this idea so much because "They Would Love" is one way memories shared on LifeWeb can be organized - if something reminds you of your person, share it on their LifeWeb page and select "They Would Love..." as the life theme. See an example LifeWeb here!
Create a sidewalk chalk memorial mural
Collaborate with others to draw inspired by your loved one. Pick a day and place for the sidewalk memorial, then coordinate a schedule for a safe amount of people to come and draw at a time. Artistic skills not required to participate, BYO-chalk! We’re drawing inspiration from this sidewalk chalk community art museum in Mountain View, CA.
MEMORIALS DURING COVID-19
NY Times Podcast The Daily on virtual funerals
Learn how one retired minister held a virtual memorial for his wife when she died in quarantine. His experience is a welcome reminder that we are all still adjusting to new ways of celebrating our loved ones. “When you lose someone you love deeply, you want the world to stop. And the world has stopped. We’re all in this collective place of reflection.”
Plan an informal gathering to share stories and photos of your person via Zoom
No matter how much time has passed, coming together with friends and family to share stories and look at photos of your loved one feels amazing. Follow our step-by-step guide to planning a virtual memorial event on Zoom. Ask for photos in advance, then share your screen so everyone can see them and share stories together. Guide created for you with love from LifeWeb & New Narrative Memorials.
About Us:
LifeWeb 360 helps communities keep memories alive. Friends and family can create a special place to remember and celebrate the life and light of their loved one, easily sharing stories and photos which are organized into a multimedia scrapbook as a gift to the family. Memories can be built on over time or transformed into a physical book you can hold in your hands. With LifeWeb, the entire community impacted by a loss is equipped to capture the person’s essence, and to support the family in the long-term with reminders and ideas for checking in with them.