Virtual Funerals Have Now Become A “New Normal”

The following report is from Study Finds:

COVID-19 has changed the world in a multitude of ways, but a recent study on how the coronavirus pandemic has transformed funeral services is especially eye-opening. University of Toronto researchers report that virtual funerals are becoming more and more “normal,” forcing families to change how they grieve their loved ones as well as how funeral practitioners perform their services.

A funeral is normally a time to properly honor and say goodbye to a loved one or close friend. The fact that the viral aspect of this pandemic has prevented countless people from holding a traditional funeral for a close family member is nothing short of tragic. Many now opt for a virtual funeral in lieu of an in-person gathering due to public gathering restrictions. The team at UT analyzed 62 academic and grey literature articles examining the use of virtual funeral practices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 is greatly impacting the ways in which we grieve. Rituals and other mourning practices are such an integral component of the dying process, and they are being interrupted at a time when we are experiencing tremendous loss of life due to COVID-19.

Lead study author and recent graduate Andie MacNeil in a media release.

People Question The ‘Authenticity’ Of Virtual Funerals

Unsurprisingly, many people have their fair share of reservations toward the idea of a virtual funeral. One concern that kept coming up is the subject of authenticity. Additionally, a virtual funeral can impede those without access to a computer from participating.

The large recent uptake of virtual funerals due to pandemic restrictions has shone light on many challenges of this practice. There are concerns about the authenticity of using virtual platforms for mourning rituals that are meant to take place in person, and there are also significant barriers regarding access to technology.

Co-author Rennie Bimman, now a social worker at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Roger Neilson House hospice in Ottawa.

Despite these concerns, researchers believe there is also something to admire about the resourcefulness and determination that comes with holding a virtual funeral. Many have had to adapt to life during COVID and the popularity of virtual funerals shows that people won’t even let a global viral pandemic stop them from celebrating the lives of recently passed loved ones.

It is imperative to highlight the ways in which individuals and families have adapted in order to continue traditional ways of grieving that are familiar and comforting. Practices such as virtual shiva and live-streamed funerals emphasize how people create meaningful experiences, despite the inability to be together in person.

Study co-author Jacqueline Ho

Virtual Funerals May Be Here To Stay

Meanwhile, both healthcare professionals and funeral service workers have shown great adaptability in their ability to pivot and change their practices to meet the needs of the pandemic.

Our findings have demonstrated significant resilience, not only among individuals who have experienced loss, but also among mental health and funeral service professionals who are finding new ways to support those who are grieving.

Study co-author Tali Barclay, a social worker and psychotherapist at the Breakwater Institute for Occupational Stress and Trauma.

The full impact of virtual funerals is still unknown. Researchers stress that there’s no way of predicting how funeral experiences during the pandemic influence long-term grieving outcomes. How will we look back on these services years from now?

Mental health professionals must consider the strengths of those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic and also be cognizant of how these disruptions and changes to grieving may have lasting impacts.

Study co-author Blythe Findlay, a counsellor with the David Kelley Services program at Family Service Toronto.

Interestingly, the study actually concludes that virtual funerals may persist long after the pandemic ends.

The shift to virtual mourning practices may be the way of the future. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how easy it can be to open this once very private event to family and friends around the world. The shift to virtual services can increase accessibility and provide opportunities to connect with distant loved ones, allowing many to grieve in ways not experienced before.

Co-author Taylor Hocking, program manager for the Toronto HomeShare Program at the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly.

The findings appear in OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying.

---

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

I can tell you the impact: it’s detrimental. Having family and friends not being able to pay respects or say their final goodbyes, let alone being able to be close to their family member’s side, takes a massive toll on people. Putting all the Covid hype and nonsense aside, people’s families – who are going through enough daily stress as is, then the lockdowns and isolation, lack of work, constant fear, face masking, etc., slammed on them – are then forced to have a loved one be forcibly removed out of their homes and left to die alone in these hospitals; and then people can’t attend a proper funeral and burial because of this non-isolated “virus.” It’s all by design: a mass psychosis and demoralizing effect the makes the masses even MORE comatose and controllable.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Romans 12:15

[33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. [35] Jesus wept. [36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! [37] And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? [38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

John 11:33-38

Even the Lord of glory, God manifest in the flesh, wept at the death of Lazarus. Of course, he goes onto raise him from the dead; but the point is, weeping and having grievance for loved ones are ‘natural’ emotions the Lord created us all to have. And now, you have these sickos that are telling everyone to stay home, put your mask on, stay six-feet apart (in the U.S.), take the death shot; so you “don’t kill grandma.” These people are demented, and they are making the masses go insane and be demented along with them.

But I am mentioning this report because the fact of the matter is everything is going virtual. This is the “new normal.” And it will only get worse from here.

Samsung Unveils 6G Technology That Can Replicate People And Devices. Says They Are Ahead Of Schedule

Study Results Shows How Virtual Reality Damages The Brain, Called “Cybersickness”

The Coming “Global Citizen” Test That Will Be Mandated For People To Use The Internet

France Has Now Practically Banned Homeschooling. Forces Children Into The State System

---

[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.