Experiences of people Who Lost Spouses due to COVID 19 Complications: Insights from Masvingo Urban

Abstract

This study explored experiences of people who lost spouses due to Covid-19 related complications in Zimbabwe. Contemporary literature suggests that funeral rituals are fundamentally convened to mark the transience of life, to delineate a state of mourning, recognizing the value and importance of the one who has passed on and acknowledging the evolution of the life cycle. The corpus of this study was a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive case study. A snowballing sampling strategy was used to recruit five surviving spouses (three widows and two widowers). An in-depth interview was used. Thematic analysis was used to sift data. Three themes emerged from the data: 1. Burial attendance actuates and catalyzes emotional healing. 2. Cultural intonations on burial rituals compromise acceptance and moving on. 3. Emotional support systems bring solace to the bereaved. It was recommended that surviving spouses must be given insight into professional counselling services in dealing with grief. Moreover, national authorities must decree burial restrictions coupled by complete remedial packages.