Our study hits the headlines

Our UK wide survey exploring bereavement experiences during COVID-19, conducted by Dr Emily Harrop at MCPCRC together with Dr Lucy Selman at Bristol University, has received much media attention.

Our findings have been showcased in an ITV News at Ten exclusive plus an online ITV News written feature. The work has also featured as an article in The Guardian and an in-depth interview with Dr Selman on Sky News.

Along with several radio interviews, Dr Emily Harrop has presented the study's interim results to the Welsh Assembly Cross Party Group on Bereavement and Funerals, and delivered an invited presentation at the first International Online Bereavement Conference on 28th November 2020.

Of the first 532 respondents surveyed so far:

• Almost half (46%) had lost a loved one who had a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection;
• COVID-19 deaths were significantly associated with higher levels of negative death and mourning experiences (e.g. contact with loved one prior to death, social isolation following death) except for restricted funeral arrangements, which affected almost all respondents (94%);
• 70% of bereaved people whose loved one died of a confirmed COVID-19 infection had limited contact with them in the last days of life; 85% were unable to say goodbye as they would have liked and 75% experienced social isolation and loneliness.

The survey closes on 31 December 2020, if you would like to take part please visit https://www.covidbereavement.com/