Funeral parlor owners briefed on handling remains
STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR COVID-19 VICTIMS
FUNERAL parlor owners and mortuary service workers attended a one-day lecture-forum on the proper handling and disposal of both COVID-19 confirmed cases and patients under investigation (PUIs) last Wednesday, April 15 in Lingayen.
Governor Amado Espino III underscored the importance of the roles of funeral parlors and mortuary service workers to contain the spread of COVID-19 even as he allayed fears of funeral parlor owners in handling remains of COVID-19 confirmed cases and PUIs.
This lecture-forum jointly organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Government of Pangasinan, Department of Health (DOH) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), explained the proper handling of the bodies brought in leak-proof airtight cadaver bags to their parlors.
The DOH required strict compliance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPEs) including face mask, eye protector, isolation suit and gloves to avoid risks of physical contact with the body and contamination of the disease.
The provincial government will provide PPEs in case city/municipal health office cannot provide these.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ana de Guzman said burial of the cadaver should be done 12 hours after the death of the COVID-19 patient/PUI and families of the deceased decide on the manner of burial. Cremation is preferred by the DOH.
Meanwhile, De Guzman disclosed that the provincial government has sought the support of the Calasiao government to allow COVID-19 patients to be cremated at the Garden of Eden in the town, and for Dagupan City to allow the cremation of COVID-19 fatalities who are not residents of the city.
Meanwhile, other than cremation, burial in cemeteries can be done as long as remains are placed in a durable and sealed casket and public viewing is prohibited, Dr. De Guzman said.
According to DILG, this lecture-forum for funeral parlor owners and mortuary service workers in Pangasinan was the first to be held in the country. (PIO/SMDG)
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