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One of the last wishes of a family member who lost a loved one due to 2019 coronavirus disease is to see the deceased before cremation. However, can that wish be granted?

Cemetery | Photo by Pixabay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answered some frequently asked questions about the deadly pandemic COVID-19 and funerals.

One of these was about the possible risk of going to a funeral for someone who died of the coronavirus disease.

At the moment, the CDC states that “there is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.”

Since the virus that causes the coronavirus disease can be transmitted via respiratory droplets produced when coughing or sneezing, CDC stands that “this type of spread is not a concern after death.”

CDC also added, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

However, while that seemed like good news, the health agency dissuades touching the body of a person who died of the coronavirus disease.

CDC specified certain types of touching that should be avoided before, during, and after the body has been prepared. This includes kissing, washing, and shrouding.

Unless the body has been prepared for viewing, there may be less of a chance in coronavirus infection for acts like hugging or holding the hand.

Nevertheless, this does not assure that you can get a last look of your beloved who died of COVID-19.

Meanwhile in the Philippine, the government ordered that all persons who died of the novel coronavirus shall be cremated within 12 hours.

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A worker at the Baesa Crematorium in Quezon City wears full protective gear as they process the dead. The say they cremate 4-5 people a day, mostly COVID-suspected cases #COVID19

A post shared by Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) on Mar 31, 2020 at 2:45am PDT

The Resolution No. 10 of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease tasks the local government units to designate funeral service facilities which will handle the remains of the confirmed COVID-19 cases as well as patients under investigation.

With special regard to the Muslim culture, the remains of a deceased Muslim must be “placed in an airtight sealed bag, and within 12 hours, at the presence of one Imam who will do the Muslim rites, the COVID-19 victim must be buried immediately in the nearest Muslim cemetery.”

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In conclusion, while the CDC currently stands with the fact that there is no risk in visiting your loved one who died of COVID-19, the Philippine government have not yet released a guideline on visitations for the deceased COVID-19 patients.

The Department of Health confirmed 163 deaths due to the coronavirus disease, 3,660 cases, and 73 recoveries in the Philippines as of April 6.

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