Reiki, Death, and Grief During Covid-19

Article by Carrie Anderson

My dad died from Covid-19. He was eighty years old and had more time and life in him. He was a resident of a nursing home. When his illness worsened, he was taken to the hospital and put into the Intensive Care Unit. He was in an isolation room and not allowed any visitors. From the time he entered the hospital until the time he died there was almost no time for thoughts or actions. His passing came quicker than the physicians had estimated. It could have been days, but instead, it was hours. He was not given the much talked about ventilators, nor was he given any kind of trial medications. My dad did not want to be resuscitated.

Dying from Covid-19 is not like other deaths. My dad was alone and could not have visitors. A few family members were able to share some last moments with him via a cell-phone. He was extremely tired, but aware. He knew he was dying. He asked for comfort measures. The family was told that once comfort measures were given that he might be a few days until he passed away. Instead, it was just a couple of hours.

My dad couldn’t even have a proper funeral. Due to social distancing, there was one quick graveside service. I couldn’t attend because my husband and I are considered high risk for complications with this virus. Instead, later that day we went to his graveside. I never even got to see the casket, because the process was done quickly and with little interaction between the funeral home and family.

I know that my dad’s energy has moved on. I keep waiting to feel his presence, energy, or vibe. I’ve tried meditating as a way to connect with him. I’ve tried self-Reiki with the intent of sending him messages of love. Instead, there’s still just an emptiness and void. I’ve read that it can take forty days for a loved one to pass on to the other side. This is not part of my religious identity, but on the 40th day after his death, I will have a Reiki session for him.

There is so much grief in the world right now, my grief, my family’s grief, and the grief of all the other lives lost. The world needs more Reiki healing and light. At times, due to the sadness, it can be hard to feel the energy and lightness that surrounds me. This might be a time when each of us, Reiki Practitioners, need to reach out to each other, either in words or energetically, and request some Reiki.

There’s a hole in so many of us right now, and it needs to be filled with the loving light that we now can be shared with Reiki.

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Carrie earned her Ph.D in Metaphysics and Energy Healing through World Metaphysical Institutes. She is a Reiki Master Teacher, Animal Reiki Master Teacher and holds degrees in several types of Reiki. Her focus is on Distance Reiki. Carrie is a Master Level Psychic Intuitive and gives daily readings. She combines Reiki and Divination to create unique readings. She is accredited through World Metaphysical Association and Council of Holistic Healers. She also has certifcations in Teen Guided Meditation,. Additionally, she is a Professional Yoga Facilitator with a focus on Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Carrie is a co-author with Mellisa Dormoy for the book, “Easy Mindfulness for Today’s Teens”. She is an active member of the Natural Healer Society and may be reached at www.caresreiki.com