Hi lights_will_guide_you_home,
It's good to hear back from you. You're right, them living in Southeast Asia definitely makes things difficult! Grief is hard enough, and grief in the time of COVID-19 is just a whole new level. I imagine that it also adds a new level when there is negligence and mismanagement too - it's so complex and so hard.
What do you think your friend needs from you right now? Might it be something like a virtual shoulder to cry on? Or something a little more practical?
This might be a weird question, but what sort of rituals would be custom during this time? Is it possible that they could be adapted in a slight way? For example some funerals are actually live streaming for other family to watch, or having messages/videos from the family played at the funeral...?
rt