Coronavirus: New funeral guidelines issued on how to handle bodies of Covid-19 victims

Public Health England reminds mourners to practice social distancing

People should avoid rituals involving close contact with the body of someone who died with coronavirus symptoms, according to new UK government advice.

Only those wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) should handle the body during practices as there is a small risk of transmission, the guidelines say.

Meanwhile, the advice – which lays out how to care for the deceased during the coronavirus outbreak – doubles down on the importance of practising social distancing while at funerals, telling people to stay three steps away from others at all times.

“Mourners should avoid any direct face-to-face or physical contact, for example, hugging each other unless they are part of the same household,” Public Health England (PHE) said.

Funeral directors should also restrict the number of people attending so that they can keep at least two-metres away from each other at all times, and only close friends or members of the deceased’s household should be invited.

“There is an increased risk of transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19) where families and communities come together following the death of a loved one, from any cause,” the guidelines say.

The new advice is also directed at professionals who come into contact with dead bodies potentially infected with the virus, as there is a small chance it could be passed on.

PHE said: “Those handling bodies should be aware that there is likely to be a continuing risk of infection from the body fluids and tissues of cases where coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) infection is identified.”

Professionals, such as mortuary staff, pathologists and funeral directors, have been advised to wear disposable gloves, eye protection and plastic aprons when dealing with someone who potentially died while having coronavirus.

Workers have been reminded to remove any protective equipment and contaminated clothing when leaving a dirty area, and to change out of work clothes before travelling home.

Speaking about the guidelines for mourners, Mohamed Omer, a board member for the Muslim cemetery trust Gardens of Peace, said: “It is welcoming to note that we can perform our ritual wash as long as we observe the necessary precautions of wearing the right PPE and follow the process included in this guideline.“

He said: “It is hoped that there will be uniformity now in the whole system so that there is no confusion and conflicting reports on the risk of handling a COVID-19 deceased person.”

Marie van der Zyl, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “It is a central issue for the Jewish community that we honour and respect our departed loved ones while protecting the living.

“Our community introduced new strictures on handling the deceased in order to do this immediately after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Public gatherings of more than two have been banned in the UK with the exception of funerals, as authorities work to combat the spread of Covid-19.

More than 25,000 people have been infected with coronavirus in the country, according to Tuesday’s figures, while the death toll stood at around 1,700.