Punjab govt relaxes Covid-19 funeral SOPs

Next of kin of deceased can also participate in the final ablution wearing PPE

LAHORE: The provincial government of Punjab on Wednesday relaxed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding funeral processions and burial of those who succumbed to the novel coronavirus.

A notification in this regard was issued after the approval of the Anti-Corona Cabinet Committee headed by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

According to Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Care, Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman, trained teams of local government officials would perform the ablution of the deceased with all the necessary precautionary measures. The heirs would also be able to join in the bathing wearing full protective clothing.

Relatives of the deceased would also be able to attend the funeral precessions whereas the condition of a coffin for burial has also been removed, according to Capt (retd) Usman.

On April 4, the World Health Organisation (WHO) provided a step-by-step guideline for the safe burial of a novel coronavirus infected patient.

It shared detailed information on how to prepare and pack the body and transfer it from the hospital room to an autopsy unit and then to mortuary, crematorium, or a burial site.

The world health body also advised those who come in close contact with the body including health care or mortuary staff or the burial team to apply standard precautions including hand hygiene before and after interacting with the infected patient’s body.

“Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) according to the level of interaction with the body, including a gown and gloves. If there is a risk of splashes from the body fluids or secretions, personnel should use facial protection, including the use of face shield or goggles and medical mask,” the report stated.

Key points

• Prepare the body for transfer including removal of all lines, catheters and other tubes.


• Ensure that any body fluids leaking from orifices are contained.


• Keep both the movement and handling of the body to a minimum.


• Wrap the body in cloth and transfer it as soon as possible to the mortuary area.


• There is no need to disinfect the body before transfer to the mortuary area.