Bereavement in times of COVID-19: a narrative of two experiences

Abstract

This article reviews the meaning of mourning, the types of mourning, and the forms of mourning that have been contemplated for a long time. Likewise, the systemic approach is taken up again to give meaning to family grief and the ways to address it. All this from the changes in the dynamics and social customs around traditional funeral rituals in the societies of belonging, in contrast to the realities that were experienced during the time of pandemic and confinement due to COVID-19. Two life experiences of people who lost a family member due to COVID-19 during the pandemic are resumed.

En este artículo se revisa el significado de duelo, los tipos de duelo y las formas de duelo que durante mucho tiempo han estado contempladas. Así mismo, se retoma el enfoque sistémico para dar significado al duelo familiar y a las formas de abordarlo. Todo ello a partir de los cambios en las dinámicas y costumbres sociales en torno a rituales fúnebres tradicionales en las sociedades de pertenencia, en contraposición a las realidades que se vivieron durante la época de pandemia y confinamiento a causa del COVID-19. Se retoman dos experiencias de vida de personas que perdieron a un miembro de la familia por causa del COVID-19 durante la pandemia.