UK Viewpoint: Let's not forget those who have died of Covid

Pope delivers special Urbi et Orbi message in a deserted rainy St Peter's Square - ICN screenshot

More people have died in the UK in the last six months from Covid than died in the Blitz.

So far, officially, nearly 42,000 people have lost their lives here. They includes my neighbour Dave, my cousin Marek who was a doctor - and nine people in a care home a few streets away from me. They went very quietly. No one was able to visit them in hospital. There were no wakes. Marek had a 15 minute online funeral. Dave had a short open air service with just a few people present. People are fading away and we're not noticing.

Isn't it time we were all a bit more concerned about this? Would it help if we were told people's names instead of just numbers?

In Cyprus, the names of people who have died of Covid are published and read out on the media every day.

In Italy, the names of those who have died of Covid are published daily - people in some places also put up photographs of their deceased loved ones in front of churches and town halls, lay flowers and play music..

Italy observed a national day of mourning in March - for the more than 12,000 who had died by that time - with prayers and ceremonies.

In Spain on 26 May, the government declared a 10-day period of national mourning for the more than 27,000 people who had died with the coronavirus - the longest official mourning period in the country's democratic history. Flags were hung at half-mast in more than 14,000 public buildings across the nation and on Spanish naval vessels. King Felipe VI presided over a solemn memorial ceremony.

Last month in China, President Xi Jinping led a nationwide day of mourning.

Kazakhstan held a National Day of Mourning For COVID-19 Victims on 13 July.

What have we done in the UK to honour our dead and express our collective grief?

On 28 April Prime Minister Boris Johnson called a one minute's silence to honour health staff who have died during the coronavirus outbreak. Was that really enough?

According to the Marie Curie charity, more than one million people have been bereaved since the UK lockdown began, whether as a result of coronavirus or another cause.

Losing someone you love really hurts. In times of grief and loss, having your friends and family around you is a huge source of comfort. But right now even the smallest of gestures, like giving someone a hug, are impossible.

We need a time together - whether in person or virtually - to pray for, remember and celebrate the lives of the people who've died. Those who are bereaved need comforting.

Pope Francis led by example with his Masses and prayers throughout the lockdown in Italy, and his very moving Urbi et Orbi message from an empty St Peter's Square.

The Marie Curie charity is calling for the UK Government to recognise this tragic loss with a national day to unite in memory.

See: www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/day-to-reflect #UniteInMemory

St Paul's Cathedral has a website: Remember Me - where people of all faiths and none are invited to publish a picture of a loved one who has died with a short tribute. See: www.indcatholicnews.com/search/Remember%20Me

I would love to see the Catholic Church in the UK organise some collective activity or event for those who have died in this pandemic and their families and loved ones. A special national Requiem Mass each month? A space on diocesan websites for names of those who have died? Special prayers throughout the month of November, when we traditionally pray for the dead anyway? A support line for bereaved people and anyone shielding at home?

Many of our parishioners have lost family members overseas and have not been able to attend their funerals.

As well as offering comfort to the bereaved, some public events like this might encourage people to be more careful and observe safety measures to protect us from more deaths.

Until a vaccine or effective treatment has been found, we are not living in 'normal' times and we've got to stop trying to pretend that we are.

LINKS

Remember Me: www.indcatholicnews.com/search/Remember%20Me

Marie Curie Day to Reflect -www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/day-to-reflect

USA: Funeral Ministry in a time of Covid-19 - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/39463

Pope's special Urbi et Orbi blessing - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/39230

COMMENTS

Thank you for highlighting this issue. Working as a nurse in the NHS I am often shocked when I meet people who still aren't taking this pandemic seriously. Covid is a dangerous virus and I have seen patients who have survived but have been left with serious health problems. I do also think it is tragic that so many people have died without their loved ones around them - and then not been given proper funerals. I am sure many people in the future will suffer from depression and unresolved grief because of this. I really hope the churches in the UK will organise a national day to honour and pray for everyone who has died this year.

John Lloyd, Birmingham