New CDC Report links a funeral to the initial spread of the coronavirus in Chicago

When a family member visited from out of state for a funeral they comforted loved one’s and unknowingly spread the coronavirus not only to family, but started a chain of contagion in the city of Chicago. On April 8th the…

Corona takes its toll on incinerator causing it to catch on fire

A local crematory catches fire as a result of the heavy usage needed to cremate corona victims.  At Cognetta’s Funeral Home in Stamford, Connecticut a crematory chamber caught fire due to the overheating of one of it’s two incinerators. The…

Egyptian villages riot against the burial of COVID19 victim out of fear of contamination

Fear of contamination from COVID-19 victims led to two villages protesting to try and block a mourning family from laying their deceased loved one to rest. A retired physician passed from COVID-19 and when her family went to their vault…

New York’s funeral care policy changes to keep up with the influx of deaths

New York officials work to find solutions for the growing number of COVID-19 deceased that require final resting places. To help funeral directors in handling the influx of bodies, New York officials are temporarily changing regulations. From allowing out of…

New Orleans establishes an official death care task force

As the infection and death rates across Louisiana continue to grow the Mayor of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell wants to create a high level of safety around the dealing of the COVID-19 deceased and as such has set up a…

Traditional Pyres no longer possible for Indian COVID-19 victims

The Delhi neighborhood of Punjabi Bagh public cremation grounds has decided to no longer allow a pyre service to anyone who is confirmed to have passed from COVID-19.  In India it’s common that families take their departed home after a…

Outcry in Sri Lanka as the government mandates cremation only for COVID-19 victims

Amnesty International calls out the Sri Lanka government for forcing Muslim COVID-19 victims to be cremated against families’ wishes. On March 31st the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health issued COVID-19 guidelines saying the standard procedure of disposing bodies should be…

European casket producers increase production to keep up with the coronavirus demand

Casket producers around the world are feeling the impact of the coronavirus. Where many businesses have to shut their doors, casket producers have stepped up and increased production capacity to keep up with the demand.  Funeral homes are running through…

Death Care PPE is quickly dwindling, will governments step in?

Worldwide there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) available. Generally PPE will go to hospitals first, since they are dealing with those living with the virus, but will this leave funeral home employees at risk? Governments around the…

Ecuadorian deceased left on the streets due to insufficient facilities and caskets
On social media photos and videos have been circulating of bodies left on the streets of Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador. A local funeral home owner stated that they were unable to keep up with the demands. Ecuador now…