By KNO on 26/03/2020.

Islamic Scholars say only family members must offer funeral prayers after wearing proper kits, Grave to be dug 8 feet deep, says Health Expert, close relations must wear protective gear

Srinagar, March 26: With Kashmir registered first Covid-19 dead, the guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have strongly stressed that there should be no bathing, kissing, hugging and reciting of verses while as body should be transported in a secured bag. Health experts have stressed that the grave for the person should be dug eight feet deep instead of six feet.

According to the MHA guidelines to be followed for transporting and burial of Covid-19 patients, there should be no bathing, kissing, hugging and reciting of verses as “it’s not allowed at all.” “The body of the person should be transported in a secured bag and the vehicle in which he is transported has to be decontaminated by the trained staff who should be wearing N-95 masks and protection equipment,” read the guidelines available with the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Taking to KNO, Islamic Scholars of various schools of thoughts in unison said that medical science can’t be ignored and whatever directions there are in the guidelines need to be followed. “As far the funeral of the person, only family members should participate in the funeral and burial after wearing the protection kit,” they said.

Today morning, Kashmir witnessed first death of a Covid-19 patient from Hyderpora, who had a travel history of outside J&K as he was part of Tableegi Jamaat. Dr Naveed, Head of Department, at Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, told KNO that no one from the family should go closer to the body and if someone from the family wants to see the face, he/she has to wear a complete protective gear.

“Burial bath is not recommended for the body. Grave for him should be dug eight feet deep instead of normal six feet,” he said. As far funeral prayers, he said those intending to offer funeral should wear protective kit and maintain sufficient distance between the body and people.