Bhubaneswar: The state government on Saturday allowed family members of the patients who die of COVID-19 to participate in the funeral.
According to the guidelines issued by Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena to district collectors and municipal commissioners, the family members can perform the last rites of a person dies of COVID-19 as per the provisions of their religion/faith without touching the body, maintaining the safe distance from the body and following standard hygienic precautions, such as using hand gloves and face masks. Bathing, kissing and hugging of the body are strictly prohibited.
The family members of the deceased are also allowed to view the body at the time of removal from the isolation room or area, while following the standard protocols of COVID-19. The guidelines further directed that the body will be handled and transported in a decent manner.
The family may be allowed to collect the ash after cremation for performing the last rites. But, not more than 20 persons including the priest will be allowed to participate in the function. The officials of district administration and civic body were asked to follow all other conditions in this regard.
However, if the family members do not want to take part in the cremation, the government will take full responsibility of disposal of the body for which it has sanctioned Rs. 7,500 for disposal of each body.
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