The number of people who have died during the coronavirus pandemic is stark and shocking.

But the figures don鈥檛 tell the stories of the grieving friends, relatives and loved ones left behind.

As we move into another lockdown, many more people will face dealing with bereavement alone or in isolation due to the coronavirus restrictions.

And many will wonder how they can cope.

Bereavement counselling

Bereavement counsellors are trained and qualified to help you process the feelings you have.

Counselling can provide a safe and supportive space and help you understand your emotions.

Our member Melissa Noyce, who works in bereavement care at Southampton General Hospital, says people will experience bereavement and grief in different ways.

Melissa says: 鈥淲hen someone dies, we rely on the human touch to keep us going.

鈥淭hose warm hugs, friendly faces and close contact with those we love the most, is what makes a bereavement that little bit more bearable.

鈥淵ou know when you leave your home, you have the outside world to hold you up. The coffee time with friends, picking children up from school or the quick stop off at your grandparents.

Overwhelming

鈥淵ou know when you close the door at night, your home can allow you to be whoever you want to be. If you want to cry, laugh, shout or scream, you can.

鈥淣ot having the outside world to hold you up, can feel like your home is now your world. Overwhelming, heavy and like there鈥檚 no escape.

鈥淲hether someone you love has died, your parents have divorced, your relationship has broken down or your job has come to an end, how you feel, is how you feel.

Emotions

鈥淵ou鈥檙e an individual and your experience will be different to those around you. It鈥檚 okay to feel sad but it鈥檚 also okay to feel angry. Your feelings will change and it can feel like a bit of a roller coaster.

鈥淎 sound, a smell, a picture or even a place can trigger those feelings to arise.

"Be kind to yourself but most importantly focus on when those feelings pass. We often find ourselves focusing on the feeling of anxiety but not the feeling of calm.

鈥淲hen we do this, it can feel like anxiety is all we feel, when in reality, we feel many things.鈥�

To find a bereavement counsellor who is working online or offering telephone counselling visit our聽Therapist Directory.