Grieving during a pandemic: A psycho-theological response
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Authors
Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon
Issue Date
2021-07-29
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
grieving; mourning; psychology; theology; psycho-theological theory; COVID-19.
Alternative Title
Abstract
Collective grieving during the death and the burial processes of a loved one forms part of
the healing process of many Africans in different contexts. However, with the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the various restrictions imposed during the hard
lockdown, the form and shape of grieving has had to change. Factors such as limitations on the number of people who can attend the funeral, lack of contact with the corpse, overall travel restrictions and shortened funeral services have contributed to how people mourn and grieve together. Using a psycho-theological framework, this article argues for the importance of giving serious consideration to both the psychological and spiritual wellbeing of mourners, specifically in the context of COVID-19. Drawing on an Afrocentric
perspective and using a psychological and theological analysis, the article will examine
grief, bereavement and mourning, and highlight the ways in which COVID-19 has affected
these processes. This analysis will afford us the opportunity to redefine grieving as a
psychological and theological response.
Description
Citation
Kgatle, M.S. & Segalo, P., 2021, ‘Grieving during a pandemic: A psychotheological response’, Verbum et Ecclesia 42(1), a2260. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/ve.v42i1.2260
Publisher
aosis