Marie Curie reacts to the UK reaching 100,000 Covid-19 deaths

Sam Royston, Marie Curie's Director of Policy and Research, said:

“The cold, unimaginable reality of this figure belies the 100,000 people behind the number. People who were loved. People who leave behind families, friends and communities who are suffering right now.

“People are grieving in the most challenging of circumstances and our society is ill prepared to respond to death, of this complexity, on such a vast scale.

“Too many people facing bereavement over the last year have not received the practical and emotional support that they need – in some cases they have not even been told about support available.  The Government urgently needs to ensure that support for bereavement services for everyone affected by the pandemic is always available for anyone who needs it. As a society, we have a moral obligation to reduce the long-term impact of the pandemic on the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals and families, otherwise the devastation that Covid-19 has caused will impact the lives of people for generations.

“We must also take time to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of everyone that has died during these challenging times – from Covid and other causes, as well as acknowledge those who may experience tough times ahead.

“On 23 March, a year since the first lockdown, Marie Curie will host a National Day of Reflection to do just that, and we invite everyone to join us.”