The COVID-19 pandemic has brought losses to patients, families and healthcare professionals.

A Singapore scoping review identified the different types of losses leading to grief—the death of family members, patients and colleagues, as well as the loss of usual routines, lifestyles and physical health. The grief experienced was multidimensional, affecting the emotional, physical, social and existential realms. Anger, guilt and fear resulted from unsatisfactory farewells, issues with funerals, social isolation, financial strain and stigmatisation.

Loss and grief identification and management are critical. Strategies include communication, finance, counselling, education and spiritual care.

^{Illustration by Xinyu Li}