New Coronavirus Grief & Loss Support Group Forming Now

Deaths during the coronavirus pandemic often mean that loved ones are dying suddenly and unexpectedly, without their families by their side. The sad reality is that, to protect everyone from the virus, the very ill and dying cannot have their family around them. The inability to participate in funerals and cultural rituals such as Shiva can complicate grieving even further. For those left behind, grief may come suddenly or unfold over time, and the depth of your feelings may surprise you. Understanding your grief and the feelings attached to it are important steps in the healing process. Facilitated by a licensed JFCS counselor, the new Coronavirus Grief and Loss Support Group will help bereaved individuals care for their emotional and spiritual health in a safe environment with others who are walking a similar path. This group is specifically intended for people who have lost an immediate family member to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Grief & Loss Support Group will consist of four weekly Zoom sessions, beginning at 10:45am on Thursday, May 7, and is being offered free of charge. Space is limited. If you would like to join this group, please contact Rivka Shakow, MS​W, LCSW, CDP at 856-424-1333 or rshakow@jfedsnj.org to compete a brief screening.