A Phenomenological Study of Mourning in Coronavirus Deaths

Mourning and lamentation as part of the literature, culture, customs, and traditions of all ethnic groups, have long been common among different nations of the world. In Iran, due to the existence of religious and traditional values, mourning ceremonies are collective and deeply present in people's social life. Covid 19 pandemic has caused shocking situations globally that affected many people’s lives. The spread of the new virus has changed mournings and has changed the way people deal with the phenomenon of death so that no one except close relatives and family members could attend the death related ceremonies. Restrictions to hold seremonies for friends and acquaintances, has toughened conditions in the  performing rituals of mourning.Using a phenomenological approach, this article analyzes the life experiences of people who lost their loved ones due to the Coronavirus and were unable to perform the rituals properly. 15 participants were selected using purposive sampling method and interviewed via in-depth interviews. Five main categories were extracted from the data analysis. Visiting in the virtual suspended space, death without farewell, quarantine and dual feelings of fear and grief, virtualization of mourning, marginalization of rituals and traditions in burial.