The lockdown has made it even worse. With no friends or relatives who can come meet you - because of the lockdown and because you may have COVID too - it becomes unbearable to deal with the loss alone. The questions of how to start a new life with your surviving parent feels too tough to figure out.

Oh, God! This is so real! A student of mine has lost his father, and I've been talking to him every day, trying to help him cope. Can't even imagine the plight of those who might have lost both parents. To hell with academic or workplace practices. If the university or the employer can't help them to get whatever they need to cope with this, then the former aren't worth it.

It's not just about employers. Even the mean ones among bosses and difficult faculty will give you time to cope with the loss of a loved one for a few days (even if they don't, just take it anyway). But it's also about how you deal with it individually in your own space? The void does get more aggravated due to the lockdown. Finding comfort through meaningful relationships is the most human thing to do.