PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Losing a loved one is already hard, but social distancing restrictions and COVID-19 have made the grieving process even more complicated. Now a mental health expert wants to help people pay their final respects.
"Seeing how it impacted people on the front lines," shared Rev. Dr. Brady McDaniels, "when you're working in both the hospital setting and hospice setting, you see the impact."
As a hospice coordinator, McDaniels observed how social distancing restrictions forced people to skip over gatherings and paying final respects after a loved one's death.
"There was really nothing out there that people could link into and have something that would hopefully bring them some comfort and help them feel like they're not isolated," he said.
That's why he created a virtual memorial service. The 30-minute non-denominational video makes bereavement and grief support accessible to help people find some closure.
"What we're hoping is that they won't feel so isolated," McDaniels said. "They're not walking alone. There is a huge number of people out there—though we're not together physically—there is solidarity in our hearts and our minds as we hope and reach for a better future a better tomorrow."
Some area health facilities, such as Deborah Heart and Lung Center, are posting the candlelight memorial on their website to help those who lost loved ones due to COVID-19.
