People welcome relaxation in Covid victims’ final rites

Families allowed to take part in final rituals

RAWALPINDI: People in Rawalpindi have welcomed the relaxation in the guidelines for the burial of coronavirus victims.

Family of an elderly woman who died of the disease said though it was a sombre occasion, they felt solace in giving the deceased a burial as per their traditions.

Women relatives were allowed to take part in funeral bath of the deceased and placing her in white shroud. Moreover, the body was buried without casket.

The provincial government has relaxed the earlier strict standard operating procedures for the burial of people dying from coronavirus disease.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Health Care has issued new guidelines in case of death of patients due to corona virus, which have come into effect, officials of the district administration said.

The news guidelines allow burial in traditional shroud instead of wrapped in plastic and packed in wooden casket.

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Moreover, the government has also allowed participation of family members in preparing the body for the funeral.

People can now give final bath to their near and dear ones who had died of Covid and put them in the white shroud albeit wearing protective gear.

A family of an elderly woman who passed away due to coronavirus at Dhok Elahi Bakhsh was fully involved in all the stages of last rites including funeral bathing and burial, locals told The Express Tribune.

The family and neighbours also shouldered the janaza, went to the graveyard and buried her in shroud without being treated with chemicals, wrapped in plastic and placed in casket.

In the new funeral guideline, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Healthcare has stated that any patient who dies from corona can be given funeral-bath according to SOP. Blood relatives can participate in funeral-bath by wearing special clothes as per SOP.

The deceased can also be buried without coffin, face can be seen and the deceased can be carried on shoulder while being taken to graveyard.

However, the deceased will be buried by local government workers. According to the SOP of social distance, a minimum distance of six feet is required for funeral prayers and burial. It is necessary to cover the face, nose and eyes. A circular has also been issued to all the commissioners and deputy commissioners for immediate implementation of this new SOP. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2020.