• Coleen Chavez
• Ines Danao

Bereavement and grief experienced due to the loss of a close family member or friend is an interesting phenomenon worth investigating. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explored the meaning of bereavement among senior citizens. It sheds light on their struggles with loss, grief, and the process of adapting to life without their spouse. The research employed a phenomenological qualitative design, aiming to elucidate the lived experiences of widowed seniors. The study gathered insights from the participants through in-depth interviews, field notes, observations, and recordings. To ensure credibility, evaluative criteria were followed, and reflexivity was incorporated. Using HyperResearch software, the analysis identified codes, categories, and themes that encapsulate coping mechanisms and meaning-making strategies among widowed seniors. Three themes emerged in the study such as grappling with life challenges, coping mechanisms, and self-sense reconstruction. Grappling with life for widowed senior citizens means explicitly going through the emotional challenges characterized by the feeling of loss, desire for the lost attachment, and reminiscing memories. Bereavement. The study further revealed various coping strategies and resilience-building approaches, including emotion-based coping, engagement in activities, seeking support, prioritizing work, and fostering family bonds. By embracing their pain, seeking support, and cultivating resilience, bereaved seniors manage their emotional distress and find purpose and meaning in their transformed lives. The study emphasized the significance of personalized grief management, maintaining routines, fulfilling family obligations, and engaging in social connections for overall well-being and resilience among bereaved seniors.

Meaning of Bereavement, Senior Citizens during COVID-19, Coping loss and grief.

"THE MEANING OF BEAREAVEMENT AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no.b148-b156, May-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405119.pdf

"THE MEANING OF BEAREAVEMENT AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 5, page no. ppb148-b156, May-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2405119.pdf