NEARLY half of bereaved families in Cheshire were unable to pay their final respects to their loved ones during the lockdown, according to a new survey.

Co-op has released a report which reveals the devastating impact lockdown has had on Cheshire’s ability to grieve and warns the region could yet face a grief pandemic.

An online YouGov survey, commissioned by Co-op Funeralcare, shows that in the weeks following the start of the UK’s lockdown on March 23, a total of 47 per cent of bereaved adults in Cheshire were denied their final farewell.

Although a necessary measure to protect our nation during the coronavirus pandemic, the restrictions on the number of funeral attendees mean that many have been unable to attend their loved one’s funeral, with some councils prohibiting any attendees at crematoriums and gravesides.

When asked about the most important way to say goodbye, 42 per cent of UK adults chose being present when their loved one passes away, whilst 33 per cent chose attending a funeral or memorial service.

Sadly, in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19, neither of these goodbyes have been an option for an estimated 243,000 bereaved families.

Funerals play an intrinsic part in the grieving process, and by being unable to attend, many have been unable to grieve the loss of their loved one.

The survey revealed that 37 per cent of mourners have been unable to pay their respects by attending a funeral service, whilst 45 per cent of people said the funeral went ahead, or will go ahead, with restricted attendance in person only.

With only 52 per cent of funerals proceeding with restricted attendance over lockdown, Cheshire ranks among the lowest in the country for funerals which still went ahead.

A harrowing estimate of more than 133,000 bereaved families who have lost a loved one during lockdown said their grief process has been negatively affected by the restrictions in place, with over three fifths (61 per cent) saying that nothing in particular has helped them to grieve.

This inability to grieve at present means the nation could experience a prolonged period of mourning for months, or even years, to come.

David Collingwood, director of funerals at Co-op Funeralcare said: “A funeral provides a sense of closure for bereaved families and is very often the start of the grieving process.

"Sadly, the recent restrictions mean an estimated 243,000 bereaved families across the UK and thousands across Cheshire have been denied the right to say goodbye to loved ones in the way they would have wished.

“We completely supported the need to introduce these restrictions at the beginning of the devastating coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

"We had to make some tough but responsible decisions to protect our colleagues and clients, and to fulfil our social responsibility of slowing the spread of the disease.

“Tragically, we don’t yet know what the long-term psychological effects will be for families denied the last opportunity to say goodbye, so it is vital that we do everything possible to allow families and individuals to attend funerals, whilst always prioritising the health and safety of our communities.”

Co-op Foundation has partnered with Co-op Funeralcare to deliver grants of up to £10,000 for projects that help young people to support each other through bereavement.

Organisations can express their interest in the Co-op Foundation #iwill Fund until July 31. The funding will help build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging among young bereaved people, while helping them to make a long-term impact on their peers who have gone through similar experiences.

Co-op has extended the financial support available through its own Funeralcare Hardship Fund.

The fund, launched in April as part of the Co-op Members Coronavirus Fund, has allowed Co-op’s 4.6 million members to donate their unspent existing member rewards.

The Hardship Fund provides a grant of £250 to anyone in financial hardship and arranging a funeral for a loved one who died as a result of coronavirus, or a coronavirus-related illness.

Andy Langford, Cruse bereavement care clinical director, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has meant it is an incredibly distressing time to be grieving, whenever your bereavement occurred.

"Many people have been grieving in isolation, unable to attend funerals, say goodbye, and be close to those they love. When you feel you have no control over how you can experience those last moments with someone, this can have a profound impact on the grieving process.”

Whilst grief itself is not a mental health problem, it can cause mental health problems for some of us. Co-op is working with its partners Mind, SAMH and Inspire to encourage those affected by grief to access support from bereavement charities before their mental health deteriorates.

Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind said: “The loss of a loved one during the pandemic is leaving many people struggling with grief.

"In most cases, grief is not a diagnosable mental health problem. It is absolutely normal that grief places strain on our everyday lives and it can take a long time to adapt to life after a loss.

“If you feel that your mental health is suffering following a bereavement beyond the stages of grief or if you have an existing mental health problem that is being worsened following a bereavement and you’re struggling to cope, it’s important to seek help, speak to a loved one, GP or contact a bereavement charity.”

For more information, visit https://www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/nationinmourning