74 000 familles endeuillées affectées
Press release
Quebec City, March 8, 2021 — With just a few days to go before the day of remembrance for those who have died from COVID-19 in Quebec, the Corporation des thanatologues du Québec is releasing the initial results of a study conducted by Professor Jean-Marc Barreau of the Université de Montréal, revealing that health measures limiting the maximum number of people in funeral homes to 25 are adding to the complexity of the grieving process for all 74,000 bereaved families.
“Every day since the start of the pandemic, we have been supporting families in overcoming this ordeal, and we had already observed this type of distress and suffering. Today, a university study proves that the absence or postponement of funeral rituals are factors that deprive families of their right to grieve as peacefully as possible,” says Annie Saint-Pierre, Executive Director of the Corporation des thanatologues.
About a hundred bereaved families from all regions of Quebec shared their experiences as part of this study. Analysis of the data clearly shows that “delayed grief” is unfortunately not a myth. “We can’t grieve,” say some families, or “We have to grieve twice… first at the funeral home and then later, when we can finally have a funeral!”
When the ceremony takes place at the funeral home, the study shows that three factors disrupt the grieving process. The first is the limit on the number of participants (25%), the second is social distancing (16%), and the third is the lack or absence of human warmth (10%). Two other factors are raised: the importance of seeing the body of the deceased in order to grieve, and the need to provide a high-quality funeral.
Furthermore, according to interviews conducted by Professor Barreau, limiting the number of people who can attend in person not only complicates the grieving process, but also contributes to dividing families who have to choose who will be able to say goodbye to their deceased loved one at the expense of someone else.
THE COMPLEMENTARITY OF VIRTUAL FUNERALS
“However, one of the advantages of bimodal virtual funerals is that they offer bereaved individuals the opportunity to combine the ‘social body’ (family in person) and the ‘digital body’ (family remotely). This is essential for resolving grief, which can never be dealt with alone,” argues Professor Barreau.
The comments of these bereaved families during the COVID-19 pandemic bear witness to this: “I didn’t receive any condolences,” some will say; or “I felt alone, abandoned”; “I didn’t feel any human warmth,” others will say, etc. The digital body can therefore interact with the social body: virtual exchanges of condolences with bereaved family members who are physically present, images or texts shared on a large screen, rituals, etc., according to Mr. Barreau.
INCREASE IN THE WORKLOAD OF THANATOLOGISTS
The study also addresses the impact of the pandemic on the work of thanatologists. It highlights a sharp increase in the workload of funeral homes, which can be attributed to two factors: social distancing and the distress of families.
“The results of this study confirm our concerns and demonstrate the urgent need to adapt pandemic health guidelines in the funeral sector. We are confident in the professionalism of funeral homes, which are capable of organizing dignified funeral rituals in complete safety,” said Ms. Saint-Pierre.
To date, the government has limited funeral ceremonies to a single session of up to 25 people, with no possibility of rotation. We are calling for these requirements to be reviewed quickly in order to curb a problem that is already emerging and whose social consequences are to be anticipated.”
Some statistics about delayed mourning
3 factors that disrupt the mourning process
1- Limit on the number of participants = 25%
2- Social distancing = 16%
3- Lack or absence of human warmth = 10%
About virtual funerals
33% of bereaved families surveyed say they are open to this type of funeral.
67% prefer to postpone the funeral even though they are aware that the grieving process will be “delayed” in some way.
The full results of Professor Barreau’s study will likely be published in a scientific journal.
To view the study summary: [email protected]
To contact Professor Jean-Marc Barreau, Ph.D., D.Th.:
[email protected]
ABOUT THE QUEBEC CORPORATION OF THANATOLOGISTS
The CTQ brings together more than 500 companies specializing in funeral services. Its mission is to promote excellence in funeral services, contribute to the professional and business development of its members, and represent the funeral industry to ensure that no one has to compromise on mourning.
For more information: https://www.domainefuneraire.com/
Source: Annie Saint-Pierre
Executive Director
Corporation des thanatologues du Québec
[email protected]
418-622-1717
