85% of bereaved people say Covid negatively impacted their experience

68% of respondents lost a loved one during the pandemic.

The Time to Reflect Survey revealed the real impact of the pandemic and the importance people place on supports for end-of-life and bereavement care. As we approach the National Commemoration event on Sunday the 20th it’s important to note that this is only the start of remembering and reflecting on the lasting impact of the pandemic on dying, death and bereavement here. IHF research shows that sadly 68 per cent of respondents lost a loved one during the pandemic while 43% suffered multiple bereavements over the two years. Speaking with us about the research, Irish Hospice Foundation Head of Bereavement & Education, Orla Keegan said;

“This month marks the second anniversary of COVID-19 in Ireland. Life before the pandemic seems so long ago and the results of our Time to Reflect Survey are very timely in highlighting the deep impact it has had on our lives. Few experiences have been changed more profoundly since March 2020 than how we deal with bereavement. Our research revealed that COVID-19 has also prompted many of us to consider our own wishes for our end-of-life care as well as how we can provide more support to our bereaved family, friends and colleagues”.

The necessary restrictions during COVID-19 meant 30 per cent of those bereaved were not able to attend the funeral of their person who had died with 82 per cent stating they had family and friends excluded from funerals. It’s not all negative and there is cause for hope as we move forward, with 56 per cent of people saying it has prompted them to open up conversations on death and dying with family and friends, 67 per cent have a greater awareness of how the death of a loved one can impact on those left behind and 85 per cent of those bereaved reported that their community honoured the person who had died on the day of the funeral.