Washington Funeral Resources & Education
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COVID-19 FAQs

​FAQs on After-Death Body Care, After Death Vigils, Viewings and Funerals from the Professionals

Below are some pertinent FAQs from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). These guidelines may evolve; check the links for the latest information daily. See CDC Covid-19 Guidelines and NFDA Covid-19 Guidelines for Visitations and Funerals.

​Q. Am I at risk if I go to a funeral or visitation service for someone who died of COVID-19?
A. There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19. 
​ 
Q. Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19 after their death?
A. Health risks to caregivers are minimal when following best practices that we use when dealing with any kind of infectious disease, such as influenza or even the common cold. We have learned a great deal about the virus since it began in early 2020.
 
COVID-19 is spread from close contact (i.e., within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of spread is not a concern after death.
 
Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. The virus may spread from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging after the body has been prepared for viewing and then touch one’s own face, moth, or nose. People conducting bathing and dressing of a deceased body that was infected with the Covid-19 virus may wear protective gear or personal protective equipment (PPE, (such as disposable gown, face shield or goggles and facemask) to avoid transmission from droplets when moving the body that may be released.
 
Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. After removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.
 
Q. What do Funeral Home workers need to know about handling decedents who had COVID-19?
A. A funeral or visitation service can be held for a person who has died of COVID-19. Funeral home workers should follow their routine infection prevention and control precautions when handling a decedent who died of COVID-19. 
 
After cleaning and removal of personal protective equipment, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.
 
Decedents with COVID-19 can be buried or cremated. [See full CDC Covid-19 Guidelines for additional guidance to Funeral Home staff on disinfecting body bags, embalming, and other technical procedures.]

​Q. Is it possible to bury in a green cemetery, or bury at all?
​A. 
Yes. Please go to ​NFDA Cremation and Burial, the Green Burial Council, and the Conservation Burial Alliance for more detailed information.

Learn How To:

Perform Body Care
Complete Paperwork
Arrange Disposition
Transport the Dead
Create Ceremony
​Go Out Greener
Work With Professionals
Pay For a Funeral

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Justin Craig

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Washington Funeral Resources and Education is a non-commercial public interest site dedicated to helping Washington consumers care for their own dead with or without the assistance of a funeral director. See FuneralPartnership.org for more state funeral information. This site is maintained as a project of White Eagle Memorial Preserve and Sacred Earth Foundation, which coordinates responses to inquiries with other Washington-based organizations and practitioners that support the mission of the Funeral Partnership.
Disclaimer: 
This website has been created by volunteers making reasonable efforts to provide resources and materials for informational purposes only. Any information you obtain from this website is not legal advice and should not be relied upon without confirmation of current law. No warranties, expressed or implied, are made with respect to the information herein. There is no guarantee that the information contained here is complete or up-to-date as of the date that you view this site. ​The agencies linked via hyperlinks are responsible for the content of those sites. Their information is subject to change and should be consulted directly to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. Please report any inaccuracies to us in the form on the CONTACT page. Thank you!
  • Home
  • How To
    • Get Help Now
    • Learn the law
    • Have a Home Funeral
    • Perform Body Care >
      • Cooling Techniques
    • Complete Paperwork
    • Arrange Disposition
    • Transport the Dead
    • Create Ceremony
    • Go Out Greener
    • Pay for a Funeral
    • Work With Professionals
  • Learn More
    • Resources For Professionals
    • Tools for Community Education
    • Organizations, Articles, Books
    • Sample Forms
    • Glossary
    • Media Kit
    • Pandemic Care Guide >
      • Pandemic Care Guide
      • Practical Guidelines
      • Ceremony Resources
      • Articles
      • Covid-19 FAQs
    • FAQs
  • Read Stories
    • Read Their Stories
    • Heather's Story
    • Mikaela's Story, P 1
    • Mikaela's Story, P 2
    • Mikaela's Story, P 3
    • Alicia's Story
    • Rich's Story
    • Jake's Story
    • Briar's Story
    • Karen's Story
    • Lashanna's Story
  • Blog
  • Contact