Kerala Changes Covid Funeral Protocol, Allows Bodies To Be Taken Home

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said family members and relatives can now take the bodies of those who died of COVID-19 to home. The body can be kept for up to one hour.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced a change in the funeral protocol for Covid victims, with relatives now being permitted to see the body and perform limited religious rites, all within an hour. "Family members and relatives are unable to pay their last respects to those who died of COVID-19. This is adding to emotional distress. To address it, the bodies of those who died of COVID-19 will be allowed to be taken home. The body can be kept for up to one hour," he said. He also informed that the banks have been directed to halt the revenue recovery proceedings of Covid victims who have defaulted on bank loans. Meanwhile, Kerala has extended the lockdown restrictions in the state for one more week.