1.0Global Development Researchhttps://research.reading.ac.uk/global-developmentSophie De Pauwhttps://research.reading.ac.uk/global-development/author/gh811142student-reading-ac-uk/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="mx8rVLR38F"><a href="https://research.reading.ac.uk/global-development/387-2/">Diverse funerary needs at a time of crisis</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://research.reading.ac.uk/global-development/387-2/embed/#?secret=mx8rVLR38F" width="600" height="338" title="“Diverse funerary needs at a time of crisis” — Global Development Research" data-secret="mx8rVLR38F" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://research.reading.ac.uk/global-development/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://research.reading.ac.uk/global-development/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/Unorganized/funeral.jpg1378848As the global death toll continues to rise Professor Avril Maddrell, Dr Yasminah Beebeejaun and Dr Katie McClymont discuss some sobering realities and challenges faced by grieving families, funeral homes, and crematoriums during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current pandemic is shocking in its rapid spread and threat to life, especially for those with underlying health conditions. It is particularly shocking for those of us who live in affluent countries in Europe, with the privilege of a welfare state and healthcare provision, and hence have presumed a reasonable expectation of a long life for ourselves, and for those we care about. Internationally, where the epidemic is peaking, significant numbers of additional deaths due to the virus are already putting cemeteries, crematoria and funeral providers under pressure. At the time of writing, a COVID19 cluster in Spain has been linked to mourners attending a funeral, and in Northern Italy, cemeteries and funeral services are struggling to keep up with burials, and restrictions mean direct burials are taking place without family or clergy present.Sudden or unanticipated deaths are particularly difficult to deal with for the bereaved. In the context of COVD19, the inability to attend a loved one’s funeral will further add to the trauma of sudden bereavement. Weblinks via Skype, Facebook etc. are now a necessity for funeral services during the outbreak, given the requirements for social distancing, self-isolation or ‘lockdown’. Cemeteries and crematoria may have digital systems, but even where full IT systems are not available, mourners can be linked to the funeral via smartphones or laptops if necessary.