Excess of death and the experiential disruption of death and mourning rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

Abstract

In the context of South Africa's quadruple burden of disease, which includes a high prevalence of both infectious (particularly AIDS and tuberculosis) and non-communicable diseases, the COVID-19 pandemic has been signified by excess deaths. Although never officially acknowledged by the State, communities across the country have witnessed and experienced this excess. Departing from a syndemics approach, this paper focuses on the experiences of black African communities from low-resourced urban areas in selected central regions of South Africa.The paper delves into participants' experiences of the losing family and community members, as well as the disruption of their grief work resulting from the changes effected by the COVID-19 restrictive procedures on funerals and burials. Death and mourning practices, among the 20 participants in this study, are otherwise guided by the intertwining of Christian and African cultural traditions. Based on participant interviews, the paper reflects on the incompleteness of ritual associated with the disruption of COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on mourning in a context of excess death resulting in unaccomplished grief work In so doing, this paper raises critical issues regarding physical, emotional and mental health alongside pandemic responsibility, cultural diversity and human rights.