Journal Pre-proof

Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers

Cara L. Wallace, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C, Stephanie P. Wladkowski, PhD, LMSW,

APHSW-C, Allison Gibson, PhD, MSW, LISW, Patrick White, MD, HMDC, FACP,
FAAHPM

PII: S0885-3924(20)30207-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.012
Reference: JPS 10453

To appear in: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Received Date: 29 March 2020

Revised Date: 7 April 2020
Accepted Date: 8 April 2020

Please cite this article as: Wallace CL, Wladkowski SP, Gibson A, White P, Grief During the COVID-19
Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
(2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.012.

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© 2020 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
 Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers
Cara L. Wallace, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C,1 Stephanie P. Wladkowski, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-
C2 Allison Gibson, PhD, MSW, LISW3 & Patrick White, MD, HMDC, FACP, FAAHPM4
1
Saint Louis University, School of Social Work; 2Eastern Michigan University, School of Social
Work; 3University of Kentucky, College of Social Work; 4Washington University, Department
of Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine

Corresponding Author:

Cara L. Wallace, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C

Assistant Professor
3550 Lindell Blvd, Office 304
St. Louis, MO 63103
School of Social Work
College for Public Health & Social Justice
Saint Louis University
314-977-2746
cara.wallace@slu.edu
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 2

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to continue spreading widely across the globe

throughout 2020. To mitigate the devastating impact of COVID-19, social distancing and visitor

restrictions in healthcare facilities have been widely implemented. Such policies and practices,

along with the direct impact of the spread of COVID-19, complicate issues of grief that are

relevant to medical providers. We describe the relationship of the COVID-19 pandemic to

anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, and complicated grief for individuals, families, and their

providers. Further, we provide discussion regarding countering this grief through

communication, advance care planning, and self-care practices. We provide resources for

healthcare providers, in addition to calling on palliative care providers to consider their own role

as a resource to other specialties during this public health emergency.

Keywords: grief; COVID-19; end of life; loss; communication; self-care; advance care planning
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 3

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted usual experiences of grief and modifications of

approaches to support grief are needed. Uncomplicated grief encompasses multiple responses –

emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral – that are common reactions following a loss(1).

We are all currently susceptible to multiple losses daily—loss of financial security, loss of

social/physical connections, and loss of autonomy to move freely in the world. Many individuals

are also experiencing a loss of physical/mental health and general safety and autonomy. Others

are isolated in facilities where, due to directives to limit physical contact, families are not

allowed to visit. For many hospitalized patients, visitors are limited or prohibited, regardless of a

COVID-19 diagnosis. For bereaved individuals, funerals and burials are postponed or held

remotely, often without presence of family or the possibility of the warm embrace from loved

ones. Social media feeds are full of devastating stories—families denied opportunities to say

goodbye before a death, or loved ones saying goodbye over phone/video, uncertain whether each

communication is the last. Clinicians are isolating themselves from their own families

indefinitely due to worry about potentially spreading infection. Individuals are urgently updating

advance directives and wills, making complex decisions on ventilation and resuscitation, and

considering who will care for their children if they die. Grief is inherently a normal part of this

myriad of COVID-19 experiences. Here, we provide discussion to help palliative care providers

consider important aspects of grief related to the pandemic, how key practices of advance care

planning, quality communication, and provider self-care can help mitigate that grief, and the

necessary role of palliative care in serving as a resource to other specialties amid this pandemic.

Grief in Context

The complex and rapid changes from COVID-19 impact processes which are best
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 4

understood through a lens of grief (see Table 1). Traditionally, anticipatory grief is the normal

mourning that occurs for a patient/family when death is expected(2). With the number of

COVID-19 deaths currently doubling within days(3), medical personnel are expecting to

experience death at unprecedented rates. Viewing maps of global spread, individuals can

anticipate the virus coming closer, increasing distress. Experiences of death become more

personal as COVID-19 affects communities broadly. Anticipatory grief results from uncertainty

as well as trying to make sense of what is coming. In response to these projected numbers,

hospitals are preparing and planning for a surge of patients with potential limitations in necessary

equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and intensive care unit

(ICU) beds. For patients and families, there can be unsettled feelings of not knowing how disease

will progress or how they will be impacted by changing hospital and facility policies. These

experiences that occur before death have a lasting impact on grief experiences of loved ones and

providers alike(4-6).

In response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities have begun

implementing large-scale “stay-at-home” orders, which in many cases are mandated by local or

state leaders. Hospitals and other facilities are limiting or banning the physical presence of

visitors. As deaths occur, the physical, mental, and social consequences of isolation of social

distancing may impact the potential for complicated grief (CG). While clinicians should not

assume that all patients or family members are experiencing CG now during the height of the

COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand how current circumstances may set the stage

for CG to occur following death. CG can present symptoms such as recurrent intrusive thoughts

of the person who died, preoccupation with sorrow including ruminative thoughts, excessive

bitterness, alienation from previous social relationships, difficulty accepting the death, and
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 5

perceived purposelessness of life(7). Under usual/pre-COVID-19 circumstances, family

members of patients who died in the hospital or intensive care unit were at a higher risk for

prolonged grief(8). In one national survey, the dying patient's inability to say ‘goodbye’ to

family before death was significantly associated with CG(4). Other studies show that severe pre-

loss grief symptoms(5), lower levels of social support(5), lack of preparation for the death(6),

and guilt(9) predicted CG and post-loss depression—all relevant factors in facing death in the

context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The type(6) and volume(10) of losses a person experiences also impacts the bereavement

process and likelihood for CG. Due to COVID-19, it is not uncommon for families and

communities to experience multiple losses given the methods by which the disease spreads. In

one study among home hospice patients, nearly half experienced high anxiety and/or depression

during the last week of life(11). However, symptom management and quality of care at end of

life is generally better in hospice compared to hospital deaths(8), suggesting that anxiety and

depression may be even higher at the end of life in hospitals. This seems particularly likely with

additional context that deaths during this time may be complicated by ethical decisions in

triaging resources(12), quick transitions between ‘ill’ and ‘dying’ in previously healthy patients,

and limitations in visitors who can be physically present at the bedside. While research cannot

yet report on psychologic processing at end of life during social isolation of the COVID-19

pandemic, one can reasonably extrapolate that many are dealing with higher levels of

anxiety/depression during this uncertain time. These likely contribute negatively to the quality of

the dying experience, which predicts experiences of CG(6).

Individuals may also feel they are experiencing disenfranchised grief, when grief is not

publicly mourned or socially sanctioned by the larger community(13). For example, when an
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 6

individual has not followed the social or mandated "rules" to limit exposure and becomes

infected or spreads illness to others, feelings of blame, anger, and sadness, among others, will be

entwined with their experience of loss of health. This experience is heightened as language used

in society and media presents an emotional distance to whom will contract and/or die from

COVID-19 infection. Patients can experience intense guilt and self-blame as some perceive only

older adults and the immunocompromised are at risk for infection or severe outcomes. Bereaved

individuals may grapple with the fact that the person they lost was so much more than a statistic

and have difficulty fitting their grief within these societal messages. Disenfranchised grief can

also occur when families are unable to grieve in traditional practices of funeral services or being

unable to attend a loved one’s burial. Many funeral and burial providers have discontinued

services during the pandemic, or greatly limited the number of attendees along with other

restrictions, minimizing options families have for mourning the loss of a loved one.

Though much of the grief outlined above is focused on that of patients and families, the

experiences of providers must also be considered. During times of crises, many providers rely on

strategies of avoidance or compartmentalization to continue treating patients, which can lead to

unresolved grief(14). It is common for persons helping with response efforts to experience

secondary traumatic stress (STS), a stress response that can occur as a result of knowing or

helping a person(s) experiencing trauma. Symptoms include excessive worry and fear, feeling

‘on guard’ all the time, recurring thoughts, and physical signs of stress(15). Within the additional

context of challenging ethical decisions and impacts of new policy decisions, moral distress may

be another common experience for providers. Moral distress is “the physical or emotional

suffering that is experienced when constraints (internal or external) prevent one from following

the course of action that one believes is right”(16). Moral distress is a significant issue facing
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 7

critical care providers and is associated with burnout, where providers experience emotional

exhaustion and depersonalization, or even dehumanization, of the patients and families in their

care(17). Personal challenges away from work, such as decisions to isolate oneself from personal

support systems to limit risk of exposure, or feelings of guilt for those who are quarantined due

to overt exposure or their own diagnosis, may cause additional grief for providers.

Recommended Practices to Mitigate Grief

With COVID-19 contributing to increasingly difficult circumstances and the potential for

amplified grief, healthcare clinicians need tools and resources to mitigate that grief for

patients/families and to cope with and process grief for themselves. Quality communication,

advance care planning (ACP), and provider self-care are three recommended practices that can

assist now in addressing this changed landscape of grief. Table 2 outlines relevant resources

across these recommended practices.

With the likelihood of fewer (or no) family allowed to visit, clinicians must be open to

having honest conversations while exploring ways to offer connection. Helping prepare for likely

death is a critical part of anticipatory grief work, particularly because lack of preparedness is

associated with post-death CG(18). Anticipatory grief work with families is a crucial component

in effective ACP(19), as participation in ACP can enhance outcomes for families during the

bereavement period(20). Communication-based management, including recognizing, responding,

and validating emotional responses, is one key strategy for addressing anticipatory grief among

critically ill patients and their families(2). Patients and families who are provided opportunities

for cognitive and emotional acceptance of death show better outcomes in quality of life for

bereaved family members six months following the loss(21).

GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 8

Additionally, EOL decisions inherently impact the grief experience for all involved(13)

and critical decisions are being made daily for individuals facing COVID-19 infection diagnoses.

Clinicians must be ready to approach these difficult and uncertain conversations directly and

should not shy away from discussing emotions, grief, and overall patient and family distress

during ACP conversations(22). Ideally, ACP conversations should occur early with the goal of

avoiding unwanted/unneeded hospitalizations and intensive treatment(23). However, the rapid

clinical decline of moderate/severe COVID-19 infection presents unprecedented urgency in

discussing goals of care, especially with older patients with chronic disease(24).

ACP with patients within weeks/days of life expectancy should also include discussions

of desired spiritual practices and funeral/memorial(25). For caregivers, the unpredictable

trajectory of illness, practical and emotional preparedness for death, and coping with fear of

unknown factors and a future without the care recipient all contribute to tension between the

present and an uncertain future(18). Connecting patients/families to resources to help them

consider post-death planning needs and providing additional grief support is important. While

forced to disengage from traditional funeral and burial services during the COVID-19 outbreak,

many are turning online to telecommunication-based alternatives, which can be an effective

means of extending services(26). Additionally, many licensing boards have been temporary

lifting restrictions on how licensed professionals can facilitate telehealth and remote services.

Healthcare clinicians are often trained to put aside their own feelings and emotions to put

patient well-being and care first. During a time of a crisis this focus can be amplified, and the

concept of self-care may feel counterintuitive. However, dealing with the personal thoughts and

emotions that arise during care is pertinent to providing ongoing ethical care for patients and

families(27). This self-awareness, or the ability to attend to the needs of the patient, the overall
GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 9

work environment, and ones own subjective experience, can enhance the role of self-care in

overcoming accumulated stress and grief in providers(28). In fact, personal awareness, along

with inner and social self-care, is positively associated with a health care professional’s ability to

cope with death in their professional setting(29). Self-care is of utmost importance to minimize

potential for long-term outcome effects so that providers are able to continue caring for patients

during this unprecedented strain on the health care system(30). Some self-care strategies to help

individuals cope with stress during an event include: being able to take breaks and disconnect

from the disaster event, feeling prepared and informed in facilitating their response role, being

aware of local resources and services to refer patients to for additional recovery assistance, and

having adequate supervision and peer support while facilitating response(31) (see Table 2).

Conclusion

Grief is an ongoing and important factor of the COVID-19 pandemic that affects patients,

families, and medical providers. Some grief processes are novel related to social

distancing/isolation, uncertainty/self-blame related to infection, and inability to implement usual

burials/funerals. Others are typically experienced near end of life but are occurring on an

unprecedented scale that has the potential to have devastating individual/societal effects in the

short- and long-term. Based on their training and expertise in working with patients near EOL,

palliative care providers are perfectly positioned to serve as a resource to their colleagues in

other specialties(32). Understanding the complexities of this grief, in addition to accessing and

sharing resources for improved communication, telehealth, ACP, and self-care, are important

components to supporting patients, families, colleagues, and ourselves.

AUTHOR DISCLOSURE/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

No competing financial interests exist.

GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 10

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Table 1. Contexts of Grief Amid Rapid Changes/Impact due to COVID-19 and Recommendations to Mitigate Grief
CHANGES DUE
IMPACT CONTEXT OF GRIEF RECOMMENDATIONS
TO COVID-19
Anticipatory grief for community – will Preparing patients/families for a likely
Fear, worry, anticipation of spread
someone I love be affected? When will the death is critical part of anticipatory grief
Multiple losses in families; communities; spread reach MY community? work, which can impact likelihood for
Pandemic/Spread long-term care facilities complicated grief. Utilize
Anticipatory grief for medical personnel –
of Disease communication-based management,
Individuals consider updates to advance planning for the ‘surge’
directives – considerations for ventilation including recognizing, responding, and
Type(6) and volume(10) of losses a person validating emotional responses, to address
and resuscitation
experiences can impact complicated grief. anticipatory grief(2).
Loss of financial security, loss of Overall, grief is an inherent part of our
social/physical connections and support, experiences due to the breadth of losses Approach difficult conversations directly
loss of autonomy to move freely in the individuals are experiencing to ‘normal’ life. and do not shy away from discussing
world emotions, grief, and overall patient and
Increase in likelihood for complicated grief family distress during advance care
Limitations in Visitors or Banning physical (CG) for bereaved family based on impact as planning conversations(22).
presence of family at bedside (in hospitals, the following factors are associated with CG –
long-term care facilities) inability to say ‘goodbye’(4), pre-loss grief During advance care planning, include
Social Distancing discussions of desired ritual or spiritual
symptoms(5), lower levels of social support(5),
or “Stay at Home” Survivors must quarantine based on practices and funeral/memorial plans(25).
lack of preparation for death(6), guilt(9).
Orders exposure to loved one
Disenfranchised grief can occur when an Connect patients/families to resources to
Changes to end of life practices – how help them consider post-death planning
individual does not follow social/mandated
patients/family communicate/say goodbye; needs and provide/refer to additional grief
‘rules’ and becomes infected or spreads illness.
communication between patients & support through telehealth services.
providers, between families & providers; Disenfranchised grief can occur when
families are unable to grieve with normal To enhance the role of self-care in
Delays and limitations to funerals and/or overcoming accumulated stress and grief
practices of social support and rituals in burial
burials in providers, practice self-awareness (28).
and funeral services.
Anticipatory grief for patients, families, Some self-care strategies to help
Ethical considerations – Triaging of providers – experiences that occur before death individuals cope with stress during an
resources, consideration of DNRs have lasting impact on grief(4-6) event include: being able to take breaks
Providers may choose to isolate themselves Quality of the dying experience can impact and disconnect from the disaster event,
Increase in deaths, feeling prepared and informed in
from personal support systems to limit risk occurrence of complicated grief in bereaved
overburdening of facilitating their response role, being aware
of exposure to family family.
hospital systems of local resources and services to refer
Guilt may be experienced by professionals Potential for moral distress or secondary patients to for additional recovery
who are unable to work due to traumatic stress in medical personnel – use of assistance, and having adequate
exposure/contraction of COVID-19 avoidance, compartmentalization can lead to supervision and peer support while
burnout and unresolved grief(14). facilitating response(31).
 GRIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 1

Table 1. Resource List for Providers Navigating Grief Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Organization, Author(s) Title (with hyperlink) Purpose/Description
Vital Talk COVID-Ready Communication Practical advice on how to talk about difficult topics related to
Skills(33) COVID-19
Serious Illness Specific phrases and word choices that Resources include: helpful responses during times of restrictive
Conversations – Kelemen, can be helpful when dealing with visiting; Guide to virtual family meetings; End-of-life topics that may
Communication
Altilio, & Leff COVID-19(34) arise; Supporting staff; Team support
Working with families facing Tip sheet of suggestions and considerations when communicating with
SWHPNa – Halpern undesired outcomes during the families
COVID-19 crisis(35)
Toolkit includes communication tips, symptoms management
Telehealth CAPC COVID-19 Response
CAPCb protocols, palliative care team tools, using telehealth, among other
Guidance Resources(36)
resources
Resources include: those to help clinicians have conversations about
treatment preferences before a medical crisis; Tools to support specific
Respecting Choices COVID-19 Resources(37) treatment decisions in high risk individuals (CPR, Breathing assistance
– Ventilator, User guide); Resources for high risk individuals and their
agents/loved ones
Advance Care
Planning Includes information related to likelihood of survival, along with
c COVID-19 Shared Decision-Making symptoms, statistics and facts. The tool also prompts a ‘decision point’
NHPCO
Tool(38) about advance directives
Aging with Dignity – Five A complete approach to discussing and documenting care choices;
Five Wishes Advance Directive(39)
Wishes document meets legal requirements for directives in 42 states
COVID-19: Stress & Coping(40) Provides tips and resources for reducing stress

CDCd Includes information on: Preparing for a response; Understanding and

Emergency Responders: Tips for
identifying burnout and secondary traumatic stress; Getting support;
Taking Care of Yourself(15)
Self-care techniques; and Resources
Self-Care
Includes Self-Care tips, videos and presentations, articles, and other
AAHPMe Resilience and Well-Being(41) resources
Includes foundational information about self-care; Self-care
University of Buffalo,
Self-Care Starter Kit(42) assessments, exercises, and activities; and Resources for developing a
School of Social Work
self-care plan (including for use during an emergency)
a
Social Work in Hospice & Palliative Care Network; b Center to Advance Palliative Care; c National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; d Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention; e American Academy for Hospice and Palliative Medicine