Covid-19 funerals must be held within three days
The burial of a body of a person who died as a result of Covid-19 related complications must be within 72 hours, which is three days.
This is according to a public notice for the handling of body remains under level 3 of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The notice was issued by the MEC for Health in the Limpopo province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Visits to the mortuary by the bereaved is limited to a maximum of three close family members for funeral arrangements.
Other requirements include:
The number of family members to view the remains at the undertaker is restricted to two people.
• Washing, preparation and dressing of the body by family members are not allowed.
• Night vigils are not allowed. A Covid-19 body is prohibited to be viewed or stored at home and a funeral undertaker must deliver the body on the morning of the burial.
• Attendance of funerals must not exceed 50 people and distance of 1,5 metres from one another to be observed.
• Only close family members should attend funerals and burials services.
• All sick persons, or patients, should not attend a funeral service, irrespective of their relationship with the deceased.
• Catering is not to allowed at funerals. After the funeral, all gatherings, including “After tears” gatherings, are not allowed.
This is what our readers think about the new funeral regulations during the coronavirus pandemic:
post Covid-19. People will save money.
government’s efforts to fight the pandemic, particularly regarding
the restrictions on funerals. I want to see more police visibility at funerals enforcing rules.
