The funerary activities in Jamaica have been reeling from the effects
of COVID-19 since its onset. Jamaicans were accustomed to visiting wakes and
funerals in large numbers, but government policies have placed severe restrictions
on large gatherings like wakes and funerals because of the pandemic. This article
focusses on new trends in the funeral industry prior to COVID-19: the development
of wake bands and the role the funeral parlours played. It also assesses the impact

 
The effects of the global pandemic have severely impacted every aspect
of Barbadian lives and livelihoods. This research intends to bring attention to the
gendered impact of COVID-19 in Barbados. The methodology includes a review
of literature from national and regional newspapers, non-governmental organisation
(NGO) websites, and government communication papers and web pages to create
the context of the discussion, as well as interviews with NGOs, which provide the