Loss of a colleague

[Hallelujah2020]

This weekend a colleague passed away from covid. We are a small team at work but I was her immediate manager in an even smaller sub team

I had worked with her for over 15yrs and her death has come as a huge huge shock to all of us

Not only am I struggling to come to terms with it all I also want to be there to support our younger members of staff who for some it’s their first bereavement

We do have a work support package that we can get easy access too but any advice would be appreciated

When we lost a colleague we made a small area in the garden for them at work. Is this possible? We have a bench with rosemary planted around it, as that is for remembrance. Is there any outside space where you could at least plant a tree perhaps or something for them?

I'm really sorry for your loss, by the way. I got caught up in practicalities there.

Make sure to remind your colleagues of the support package.
An Open door policy if anyone wants to talk?
My work place usually do a bereavement announcement with a nice anecdote when someone has passed away.

I lost a very close friend and colleague 4 years ago.

Our boss shared bereavement lines, made sure we knew she had an open door policy, and we also held a memorial for D. I then organised charity yoga sessions / zumba sessions to raise money for a charity. It helped us focus on the good times and good memories that we had of her.

It certainly wasn't easy walking into the office every day and seeing her empty desk, but time does make coping with wounds easier.

So sorry for your loss x

When we have lost colleagues we've done a collection for the funeral I.e flowers or donation to charity.

We have also been allowed time off to attend the funeral

Assuming you are all just back from holiday break, why not facilitate a chat session. Invite team to join you for morning coffee & cake and just talk about it. Voluntary. Maybe discuss if they want to do a collection etc?