Heartbreaking picture reveals emptiness for daughter after mother dies with COVID-19 - appeal for people to understand the reality of illness

In a post on Facebook, a devastated Rhonda Tait puts into words how it is when you lose a loved one to the dreaded virus.

Her beloved mother Josephine Brown, 70, (pictured) from Belfast passed away in the Mater Hospital on Tuesday.

Rhonda said: “The Mater ward C were absolutely amazing with her. I want the doctors and nurses to know that”.

In a post Rhonda says: “If anyone wonders what happens when a family member dies of COVID-19 let this picture tell it.

“Myself and my sisters haven’t seen our mum and won’t get to see her ever again, we don’t get to say our goodbyes touch her skin hold her hand nothing.

“We aren’t allowed a service we can’t go to the funeral home as we aren’t allowed to see the body due to this virus.

“There is no closure at all for any of us.

“She isn’t allowed her own clothes no personal belongings nothing with her at all.

“I’m sure now your hairs are standing on the back of your necks.

“This is the realisation of it all.

“We got to collect her few belongings but can’t even open them yet.

“We aren’t allowed her stuff back, it all has to be burnt, so please if this post doesn’t bring reality to the ones who aren’t obeying the guidelines please have a long hard look at yourselves”.

The post adds: “This wee bunch of flowers which had to be left outside a funeral home at the exit door is all we get to do for our wee mummy.

“She is getting cremated on Monday morning but as far as a funeral service the most we will get will be watching her coffin being taken out of the funeral home and into the hearse. That’s it and we will all be in our own cars as we aren’t allowed out of them !!!!

“Our mothers deserves a lot more than this as she was our life and the queen of our family - but with this horrible virus this is all we get .

“But be assured when all these bans are lifted we will be having a service for our mum”.❣️