This is a difficult topic, but I think it may touch many of us. Bear with me, if you would be so kind.

An uncle passed this week, of natural causes. He was a good man, a genuine good egg, smart and hard-working, with a streak of impish good humour, who gave of himself for family, church, and community. He has been failing, and is at last free.

But in current circumstances we can not, and must not, gather as an extended web of family and friends and neighbours to pay our respects. I am not sure even his grandchildren can attend his burial, though I may be mistaken.

We are not far away, as the crow flies. And yet we may as well be an ocean apart, as people were a century ago. A letter would arrive, in due course, bearing sad news.

I choose to mourn, and celebrate, and remember, through music as much as anything; that is my way.

I wonder how would you choose to remember, or be remembered?

This is the toughest part of the pandemic- not being able celebrate, to mourn or just to share a moment of connection with a loved one. I hope we can get this behind us soon.

I have a friend in a similar situation. He has an uncle in ICU who was not expected to make it. However, my friend received a bit of good news yesterday that the possible outcome had started to improve but his uncle is not out of the woods yet.

What's more, because of the pandemic, my friend's aunt could not be by her husband's side.

Jeanette Isabelle

my condolences to those affected... I've been to only one open casket funeral in the last 5 or so years... the rest have been memorial services, interment at the National Cemetery (Bushnell, Fl) taking place a month to a year after

I received an update. Joe Pointer, my friend's uncle, is now out of ICU, but he's still in the hospital.

Jeanette Isabelle

I hear you
My condolensces

It is the same in many areas around the world. Last week a lady died, and her closest family started a Whats App group for condolences. Today we have a cultural celebration, and instead of gathering with everyone , we each decorated a corner in the house and sent the photos to our relatives.

I’m sorry for your loss dougwalkabout.