After losing a loved one, millions of Americans turn to their religious communities for support and comfort. But social distancing measures are changing what that support and comfort looks like.
Rev. Bill Parnell, a leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, told me that many people in the 175 worshipping communities he helps oversee are struggling with the restrictions social distancing has put on their grieving process.
For instance, a retired priest died from the coronavirus two weeks ago in Cape Cod, leaving behind his wife, who is also infected. The priest’s family couldn’t visit him while he was sick, nor can they attend his funeral service because of travel and space restrictions.
“That’s just heartbreaking,” the reverend told me. “I can’t imagine what that must feel like.” It’s harder because now that church services have moved online — where attendance has actually grown, Parnell said — there’s no physical community to help console the grieving family.