We need new rituals for #PandemicGrief. This is our space to gather and collect our best practices for grieving in this season of isolation.
Part of the struggle of leaning into joy or beauty — which are desperately needed for healing — is the mass of grief and loss that we are all feeling.
Typically moving through grief involves some kind a social connection. Certainly some people need time alone. Yet many of us depend on each other to help us make it through the time and the feelings.
In these days of pandemic and quarantine, funerals are limited or postponed. Gatherings of all kinds are impossible or delayed. And just a simple coffee with friends is unavailable.ย In the reality, we need to pay careful attention to how we are attending to our grief.
#PandemicGrief is a collection and gathering of our best practices in this season of isolation.
Think About
That Discomfort Youโre Feeling is Grief
On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss
All the Things We Have To Mourn Now
How Ministers Experience Pandemic Grief
Understanding Terms about Grief
Being Mindful of Grief with Children
Join in a Litany
Create Grief Spaces
Send out a recipe that the person used to make and have everybody make it so that you can all join in a meal together – Megan Devine.ย
Without in person funerals, memorializing a loved one can call us to new practices. Consider the practice of โR.I.P. shirts,โ connected to the history of jazz funeral processions in New Orleans. The tradition from West Africa and the Caribbean, where mourners often wear head scarves or handkerchiefs with the deceased’s likeness on them, can offer a way to honor the memory of a loved one, says psychologist Ronald Barrett.
Host a virtual storytelling event. Take the time to name a loss by sharing stories together. – Ajita Robinson
Plant a tree. Gather a group of friends or loved ones to purchase a tree to plant. Plant the tree, and share the experience virtually together –ย Ajita Robinson
Share a meal together, virtually. Join a family member or friend on FaceTime or Zoom during a meal. Offer a blessing before the meal, share fellowship as if you were seated at the table together.
Keep a grief journal. Spend some time writing, getting thoughts down about what loss feels like, looks like and sounds like in these days.
Read poetry. Let the words of poetry speak to your experiences. Share a poem with close friends, as a way to articulate your moments of grief. Create a visual poem.
Use a finger labyrinth. Allow the practice of the labyrinth to guide you to centering and reflection.
Consider Grief Perspectivesย
How about a place to call those you miss and say some final words?ย
What else helps you in grieving?ย
As Mary Clark Moschella wisely says in Episode 65: If we don’t find beauty and joy in our practice of ministry, we wonโt be able to do our work.
To touch beauty and joy in the midst of suffering and loss, we need to support one another through grieving in new ways.
Let’s gather our best thoughts and practices.
Would you share your ideas and grief rituals?
- In the feedback form just below
- on our Twitter feed
- in an Instagram post
- or on Facebook
- please tag Three Minute Ministry Mentor if you share on social media
- and invite your friends to join us in this #PandemicGrief project by sharing this link: https://3mmm.us/PandemicGrief
