Emily Cave has been denied the chance to say a proper goodbye to her husband.

Earlier this month we learned that 25 year old Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave had tragically lost his life following complications that came from an attempt to remove a type of tumor from his brain. The news stunned the National Hockey League given that with the season coming to a pause there had not been a great deal in the way of news in the days prior to this sudden and terrible announcement. 

One of the worst moments came however when Colby's wife Emily Cave revealed that she had been largely denied access to her dying husband given the current medical crisis overwhelming medical facilities around the globe. Following the announcement of his passing Emily published a heartbreaking message to the man she had married only months prior online.

To my best friend & love of my life, Colby ? My heart is shattered. The amount of physical, mental, and emotional pain I am in when I think about never seeing, touching, or holding you again is unbearable. You are and will always be my person, my hero, the greatest thing to happen to me. I never dreamed of being a widow before our first wedding anniversary. Although, every cell in my body is lost without you, I promise to continue to make you proud. You were the best friend, husband, doggy daddy, and oh how I wished to see you as a baby daddy. I’ll see you again soon, Colb. You’ll be in heaven meeting me with a warm wet kiss. You’ll be with me every step of the way. I don’t want to stop writing just like I didn’t want to stop holding you this morning at the hospital. You are my everything. You always will be. Thank you for now being the best Guardian Angel. Just as you ended your vows, I am going to end with one word, AGAPE.

Unfortunately things have only gotten harder for Emily who revealed this week that she was also being denied a proper goodbye for Colby given that the current health crisis prevents people from gathering together in one area. 

"I'll be honest, said Emily as per the Toronto Star. "That's my biggest struggle right now."

"Not being able to have that funeral and have that closure - that is the most excruciating feeling other than Colby passing away," she said.

Given Colby Cave's high profile nature as an NHL and American Hockey League player his funeral would no doubt attract a large gathering of fans, especially given the tragic circumstances of his passing. It is understandable that health officials would be wary of such an event, but its easy to understand why this is such an awful situation for Emily and the rest of Colby's loved ones.