The research which has been carried out by the University of Bristol and Cardiff University's Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre found that participants reported high levels of challenges relating to bereavement during the pandemic with the three most common being restricted funeral arrangements (93 per cent), limited contact with other close relatives or friends (81 per cent) and experiencing social isolation and loneliness (67 per cent).

When deaths were unexpected rather than expected, such as many COVID-19 deaths, the bereaved person was less likely to be involved in care decisions. Almost half (48 per cent) of participants reported that a healthcare or other care professional had not provided information about bereavement support services, even though this would have been relevant to them.

Read the full University of Bristol press release