The holidays are usually a difficult time for those grieving a loved one, and can be more troublesome during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospice of Washington County Director Katrina Altenhofen says they have grief support services for those missing a deceased loved one, and her volunteers are putting in extra efforts for those who need consolation, “We try to be able to especially over the holidays if we know of individuals that may want an extra visit or may want an extra phone call. We have a lot of our volunteers that are phone calling and sending cards to patients and families during this time just to help to lift them up a little bit.”

For those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer some actions to help cope with feelings of grief, including asking people to call you or host conference calls with family and friends to stay connected, ask family and friends to share stories and pictures with you through the mail, email, or other social media, or creating memories like developing a virtual memory book, blog, or webpage to remember that loved one, or taking part in an activity like planting a tree or preparing a favorite meal that has significance to the person that died. It’s also recommended to ask for help from others, such as grief counseling, or support from faith-based organizations or other trusted community leaders and friends.