No More COVID-19 Funeral Rejection

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Recently, there have been rejection of bodies related to the corona virus or COVID-19 in several areas. Residents who refused to reason were afraid that the virus would spread in the area.

Sunday, March 29, residents of Manggala Subdistrict, Makassar, South Sulawesi refused the burial of the COVID-19 patient's body under surveillance (PDP) at the Baki Nipanipa cemetery. Finally, the remains of the Sudiang Makassar Public Cemetery. Later, the body with the initials AR was discovered to be corona negative.

Then, Tuesday, March 31, the body of a COVID-19 positive patient who had just been buried in Tumiyang Village, Banyumas, Central Java, was moved to another location due to local residents' rejection.

The demolition of the grave due to the residents' refusal irritated the heart of the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo. In fact, Ganjar received information from experts that bodies that have been buried according to funeral procedures related to COVID-19 will not threaten transmission to residents who are still alive.

"If the person is dead, then the SOP procedure is good, the body is already wrapped, it's okay, the important thing is you don't have to go to the mourning, follow the procedure. there, "said Ganjar in his Instagram account, Wednesday, April 1.

Ganjar asked Central Java residents not to refuse the funeral of a corpse related to COVID-19 in the surrounding environment. Because, this will add to the sadness of the deceased's family.

"Don't be rejected, take care of their feelings. What kind of pain is their family, they can't see their faces, they can't see their corpses, their loved ones die, and then it's not allowed to mourn. Please don't add to their feelings of pain," he said.

Separately, the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Said Aqil Siroj reminded residents, especially Muslims, to respect the corpse, regardless of the circumstances.

Said Aqil appealed to the public not to refuse the burial of the bodies of those who died due to COVID-19, provided that the hospital handling the bodies has carried out funeral procedures according to medical regulations.

"Whoever is a corpse who is Muslim, we have to treat it well, wash it clean and holy, be covered with certain conditions and then bury it with great respect and respect. It should not be underestimated or humiliated," said Said Aqil.

Previously, the Minister of Religion Fachrur Razi explained that the bodies of positive COVID-19 patients would be handled by a medical team from a referral hospital appointed by the government. As for the funeral, it can be carried out by the family after receiving directions from the hospital.

"The funeral officials must wear personal protective equipment for health workers such as plastic raincoats, then destroy them after the funeral," said Fachrur.

For those who are Muslim, the management of the corpse must still pay attention to the applicable provisions while still adjusting the procedures according to the hospital's instructions.

"For the implementation of the funeral prayer, it is recommended to do it at the referral hospital. Otherwise, the funeral prayer can be done in a mosque where a thorough sanitation inspection process has been carried out and the prayer is carried out without touching the body."

In addition, there are several technical instructions from Fahcrur regarding the handling of corpses of corona virus patients, such as using protective clothing complete with gloves and masks, not eating and drinking in the body storage room or viewing area, avoiding direct contact, washing hands with soap or hand. an alcohol-based sanitizer and cover the wound with a bandage or bandage.

Prior to burial, bodies with infectious diseases will be disinfected or sprayed with chlorine on the bodies and medical personnel, with the aim of avoiding the spread of the virus.

For burial, the Minister of Religion recommends that the burial location should be 50 meters from the source of groundwater used for drinking and 500 meters from the nearest settlement.

The body can be buried with a depth of 1.5 meters and then covered with soil as high as one meter. If there are other bodies that are to be buried, it is better if the bodies of COVID-19 patients are buried in a separate area. Furthermore, the burial ground must be handled carefully.

Meanwhile, for the bodies that want to be cremated, the location of the cremation must be about 500 meters from the nearest settlement. Cremation should also not be done on several bodies at once, the aim is to reduce smoke pollution.

Meanwhile, tools that have been used such as materials, chemicals, or personal protective equipment used during the funeral process can be disposed of in a safe place or burned. Then the disinfection process must be carried out again by medical personnel or the items used in the process of treating the body.