Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SHP)

Mumbai, Apr 15: Coronavirus has been one of the toughest challenges that humanity has faced. The pandemic is that dark phase that humankind has gone through and is still going through, now with the threat back with the second wave. Lockdown that was enforced during the initial months of the pandemic put the economy in distress and caused the rate of unemployment to skyrocket. 

The one other thing which the pandemic forced people to live by is the way they say farewell to their loved ones who became victims of the disease. The spike in deaths from coronavirus has led to hasty ways of cremating the dead. With no proper means to deal with the bodies, there have been occasions where improper and undignified treatment of the dead was reported.

From L to R: Cynthia Almeida, Sarita D'Almeida

One such saddening case is that of Udupi based Cynthia Almeida who died on April 11, while her daughter Sarita D’Almeida passed away on April 13 in Chakala, Andheri East. Sarita was an employee at Citizen Credit Co-op Bank Ltd, IC Colony branch. Since their deaths are due to coronavirus their bodies will be cremated at Parsivada, Andheri East, Hindu Smashan Bhumi Cemetery, Mumbai.

In certain Christian traditions where a funeral is a celebration of the deceased's life with loved ones, family members are now required to hold much smaller gatherings due to coronavirus. The pandemic has led them to restrict the number of people who can attend. Authorities have ordered people to follow such measures because the mass gatherings at funerals have the likelihood of infecting a large number of people in a short amount of time.

The pandemic has certainly impacted the mental health of people, families and communities. Loss is deeply personal yet can be meaningful when shared. Funerals are one way of getting through the mourning process. With coronavirus around, restrictions in conducting such ceremonies tend to bottle up grief, contributing to anxiety and even trauma in communities long after coronavirus becomes a memory.