Shared through WhatsApp or appearing in the newspaper, the bereavement announcements in Lebanon contain formulas never seen since the eruption of Covid-19: "Condolences only by phone", "The burial will take place in the strictest privacy." Although temporary, this break with habits is considerable in this small multi-faith country. Symbol of solidarity, participation in condolences is an important practice among Muslims and Christians, out of affection, respect or duty. Since March, for health reasons, burials must be done in small groups, and without a funeral procession.
"It is difficult for families who lose a loved one to grieve in these circumstances, recognizes Mohamed Nokkari, a judge at the Sunni Muslim religious court in Beirut and a member of the Lebanese National Ethics Advisory Committee. Usually, the presence of relatives, friends and neighbors during condolences gives hope. From a religious point of view, we also consider [in Islam] that the crowds at the funeral are good for the rest of the dead. "
Calls "don't replace contact"
In Lebanon, where personal status is governed by the communities, burials fall within the religious sphere. Muslim or Christian, faith authorities have suspended the Friday big prayer and regular masses, respectively, due to the epidemic, and called to stop attending mourning ceremonies. But the government also reacted to the rituals linked to the funeral: in March, the Minister of the Interior, Mohamed Fehmi, urged the Lebanese to interrupt these traditions, as a protective measure, a few days after the entry into force of "general mobilization" – containment measures.
Mr. Nokkari has a habit of calling the bereaved relatives he knows. “Solidarity continues to manifest itself, through phone calls or messages on social networks. But that does not replace contact. "
VSFather Rony Maatouk, who officiates at Mar Takla Church, of the Maronite Christian rite, in Hazmieh, a suburb of Beirut, is also of this opinion. "Even for a priest, this situation is difficult: he cannot stay with the relatives of the deceased to console them", he says. The door to the church’s condolence room remains closed. The two funeral masses that the priest has celebrated since March only numbered a dozen each. This isolation "Complicates the ability to overcome pain and anxiety. Social relations are very important in Lebanon. "
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