By Helen Malo IN a nation where talking about death and dying can still feel like a taboo, Covid-19 and the consequential death-laden headlines have made us face up to the, often, uncomfortable realities about the care and support we would want for ourselves and our loved ones at the end of life. And the reality is - these issues are very important and need to be addressed. Never before in this generation have we witnessed the amount of death as during the pandemic. It is suggested that for each person that dies, five people – their loved ones, family and friends – are left dealing with grief and bereavement. With 9,997 registered Covid-19 deaths in Scotland to date (as of April 4), more than 49,000 are likely to have been bereaved as a result. That is a staggering amount, and the direct impact on families, carers and wider society has been immense, bringing the challenges of grief and bereavement into sharp focus.