Call for bereavement bubbles to help grieving households
GRIEVING HOUSEHOLDS should be allowed to form “bereavement bubbles” with others who have lost loved ones during any future coronavirus lockdown, a charity believes.
This would help families feel less isolated and alone as they go through the grieving process, said the Leeds- founded Sue Ryder charity.
Its research found 62 per cent of people bereaved since the end of March felt this way, while 59 per cent felt as though their grief has been forgotten. Two- thirds of the 503 adults surveyed said forming a bubble would be a “vital source of support”.
Results also found that 62 per cent of respondents feel the nation has become “desensitised to death”, while 55 per cent feel their loved ones’ death is “just a statistic”. Currently, single adult
households can form a support bubble with another household without needing to adhere to social distancing.
The Government is being urged to extend this to bereaved households containing more than one adult, such as housemates or older children, during any local or national lockdown.
Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East, is backing the call in a letter to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.
Sue Ryder has reported a spike in demand for its bereavement support services, including online video counselling and an online community forum.
Chief executive Heidi Travis said: “So many people have been unable to say goodbye to those who have died, they have then had to grieve in isolation, without the physical presence or touch of those close to them.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “We recognise how difficult it has been for people to be cut off from their friends and family, and that this has been a significant issue for those who live by themselves.
“Any changes to the guidance on social contact will be made in line with the latest available scientific evidence.”