How To Offer Condolences That Honour Social Distancing

When someone we love is grieving, it becomes especially hard to keep our distance. We want to reach out to them with a hug or comforting gesture, but due to physical distancing, doing so is unsafe. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in strict  regulations on how many people can gather in one area, which makes holding a funeral service complicated. To help you support your loved ones during this difficult time, we have listed a few ways that you can safely extend your condolences:

Send flowers. A person who is grieving will appreciate a beautiful bouquet that’s colourful and fresh; it’s a reminder that life goes on. During a particularly challenging time, something as simple as the smell of flowers can go a long way in helping a grieving person keep going. Sending beautiful flowers shows that you are thinking of their hardships and wishing them the best. 

Reach out to them. When you receive the news that someone has passed away, your first instinct is usually to contact their loved ones immediately. Try not to forget about them in the coming weeks, as well - remember that grief can persist for months after a death occurs. Follow up with them as time passes to check in on how they are dealing with their bereavement. They will appreciate the thoughtful gesture, and it can help them heal from their loss.

Donate to a cause that was important to the deceased. Ask their family members what their preferred charities were, or about what causes they believed in. You can give money to a foundation that was close to the heart of the person who passed. Issue the donation in their name to commemorate their life.

Connect and share memories with loved ones. If you have memories of the person who has passed, you may consider sharing them with their friends and family. It can help them with their grieving process to hear about happy moments in the deceased person’s life. You can also share photos with them, which can be especially impactful.

Plant something in their memory. Did the person who passed away have a favourite outdoor spot? You might want to plant something there in their honour. Spread seeds of a flower they enjoyed or plant a tree. Afterward, you can take a photo to send to their loved ones. 

Utilize technology. Social distancing makes it difficult to meet up with those who are grieving, so use technology to connect with them instead. Phone calls can be helpful, but a person who is grieving may find it more beneficial to see you on a video call. Gather friends and family virtually using popular video call services that allow groups of people to meet online. 

Losing someone is an incredibly difficult experience, and due to COVID-19, it has become a greater challenge. It’s more important than ever to reach out to those who are grieving and support them in the safest ways possible. Have you lost a loved one? Alterna provides cremation in Winnipeg. Visit our website to access grief resources, view urns, and book an appointment with our funeral director.