China orders remains of coronavirus patients to be burned nearby,bans funeral

Chinese authorities have ordered the remains of patients infected with the novel coronavirus to be cremated close to where they are, and funeral traditions such as a farewell ceremony are banned, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday .

The remains of infected patients should not be transported between different provincial-level regions, and cannot be preserved by burial or other means, according to a trial guideline jointly issued by the general offices of the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security.

The bodies should be disinfected and placed in a sealed bag by medical workers as required, which are not allowed to be opened after sealing, Xinhua said.

Funeral homes should send special personnel and vehicles to deliver the bodies according to the designated route, and the bodies should be cremated at designated sites, the guideline stressed.