Coronavirus is stealing the chance for a customary farewell to a family member or friend and a grief expert at Dubbo says the issue may resurface for individuals in the coming weeks and months.
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A limit of 10 mourners at funerals was put in place at the end of March as part of the national cabinet's measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Physical distancing rules also apply and although necessary to prevent further cases of COVID-19, Dubbo-based National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) CEO and educator Trudy Hanson highlights the toll they can take on the bereaved.
"People really need human touch during difficult times like this," she said.
"It's heartbreaking not being able to comfort someone who's really hurting at this time."
Ms Hanson said although NALAG had not taken a large number of calls locally about the issue, she expected it could grow in the future.
"As the days and months of the crisis continues we believe people will begin to process," she said.
The educator gave a suggestion for mourning amid restrictions.
"People can always have their own private funeral ritual - something as simple as lighting a candle and thinking about the person who has died as the funeral is being conducted," Ms Hanson said.
She said it was important for people to reach out for help and not put their grief on hold.
NALAG had people waiting to take calls across NSW to support those who were grieving, and they could be reached on 6882 9222, and its website also had helpful information for coping in these challenging times, she said.
NALAG is noticing the crisis is producing "distress and anxiety and general worry about the many changes we are having to cope with now", Ms Hanson says.
Keeping in regular contact with people by phone, email, text, internet, or social media came with her endorsement.
"Write a letter, try Zoom or Skype, get some exercise and rest, eat healthy, NALAG has a recipe book on our website - with recipes to help with mood," she said.
People could also try the app MyGrief, she said.