Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 24: A notification from the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district on Friday, April 24 was issued to clear misinformation regarding dead body management of coronavirus cases.

The notification said, "It is reported that there is a lack of information with regards to the last rites of people who have died because of the coronavirus infection among the general public. It is also reported that people are objecting the cremation or burial of such victims in some areas."

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"The union government, under the direction of union health and family welfare secretariat has given guidelines to be followed during the last rites of people who dies of coronavirus infection. So far there are no reports of coronavirus infection getting spread from the dead body of the deceased persons," it stated.

"Some general precautions have to be taken while handling the dead bodies of people who die of coronavirus infection," the notification added.

The following points need to be followed during the viewing and final rites process:

1. The dead body of the person who has died due to coronavirus infection can be viewed by his relatives only from a distance.

2. Opportunity can be given to view the body of the coronavirus infection victim as per the traditions of religion to which the dead person belongs to. However, there is no opportunity to touch, kiss or hug the dead body. While viewing the body people should maintain one meter of social distance and general hygiene like wearing a mask and washing hands.

3. There is a provision to recite the holy books or sprinkling of holy water on the body of the deceased without touching the body.

4. The dead body of the deceased person can be either buried or cremated. As there is no possibility of spreading of virus from ashes of the cremated body, the same can be collected by the relatives and used for the religious rituals that need to be held afterwards.

5. It is being instructed that only a few people should be present during the last rites of the deceased person as the relatives and close friends of the deceased person might have already come in contact with him or her before they die.

6. People who work in the crematorium or graveyards do not have any danger from the dead bodies of the deceased people who have died of coronavirus infection. They have to follow precautionary measures such as wearing socks, gloves and face cover (PPE). Besides, they have to wash their hands.