Coffin manufacturers under strain amid Covid-19 related deaths
The Department of Health has issued health directions on the management of human remains that died of Covid-19, which prescribes measures to be implemented.
A local funeral parlour, Mosaic Funeral Group, has confirmed that it has conducted at least 140 funerals in January alone due to Covid-19 related deaths.
Not only has this brought strain upon coffin manufacturers, but flower companies are also said to be under pressure, leaving mourners without a great deal of choice.
Martin Brits of Mosaic Funeral Group said this has led his staff to work overtime and that they have resorted to employing part-time workers to assist during this demanding time. Now more than ever, the funeral industry is reportedly under immense pressure due to the high number of Covid-19 related deaths.
“There have been many changes since the pandemic broke out. Coffin manufacturers cannot supply enough coffins for us and crematoriums are also limited or often fully booked. We also treat every deceased as a Covid-19 patient and we make sure that we sanitise our offices,” said Brits.
Mabore Sefara of AVBOB Funeral Service told the RECORD that the pandemic is taking a toll on its funeral service employees.
“Our employees have been working 24/7 the past few weeks to ensure continuous service to our customers from collecting a loved one to arranging a funeral. We are arranging more funerals than usual, in certain areas 300 per cent more than the previous year,” said Sefara.
Wrapping of coffins
In light of this, the Department of Health has issued health directions on the management of human remains that died of Covid-19, which prescribes measures to be implemented.
This is after the department received reports of coffins of people who died of Covid-19 being wrapped with plastic. In some cases, human remains are also reported to be wrapped inside and coffins marked with biohazard stickers prior to burial.
The Department of Health then arranged a meeting with interested and affected parties in management of human remains. It announced that these directions do not prescribe the covering of coffins with plastics, use of biohazard stickers or wearing full PPE by funeral directors. Or sanitising of the graves or clothes of people attending the funeral as this is unnecessary.
“This is unless it is prescribed as an additional measure by the relevant municipality where the grave is excavated in an area with a high-water table. Such additional measures are applicable to all burials, not only Covid-19, if the water table is too high for normal burial,” it stated.
The public and the industry are advised that the measures prescribed are evidence based and may change as and when new evidence is presented.
“Human remains can be buried either in a body bag or be wrapped in a shroud or blanket as the case may be. The body bag can be used for medical reasons or the family may decide to bury using these body bags,” it announced.
The department has also regulated the number of people that can attend funeral gatherings to reduce the possible exposure to the disease.
“The human remains should only be conveyed to the deceased’s home on the day of the burial. Viewing is only allowed under controlled environment within a mortuary or funeral undertakers’ premises. These measures are still necessary to control the spread of Covid-19 among mourners,” they said.
Burial compliance
Ekurhuleni environmental health practitioners (EHP) have committed to monitor funeral undertakers and mortuary premises in light of the pandemic.
The EHPs are said to work tirelessly to inspect mortuaries and funeral undertaker premises. This is to ensure that preparation, storage and preservation of human remains are conducted in line with the regulations relating to the management of human remains.
MMC for Health and Social Services councillor Nomadlozi Nkosi stated that the CoE issues a Certificate of Competence (CoC) in terms of regulations relating to human remains.
“This guides funeral homes on how to handle human remains. The CoC can only be issued after an inspection is done by an environmental health practitioner and if the premises comply with all regulations,” she said.
According to Zweli Dlamini, City’s spokesperson, EHPs monitor all funeral gatherings to ensure compliance with all health protocols under the Covid-19 level three regulations.
“The role of the EHP in relation to compliance by undertakers is to ensure the management and employees of undertakers receive training to handle Covid-19 mortal remains. This is in line with directions issued in terms of Covid-19 regulations,” he said.
Dlamini said healthcare practitioners also visit the families of the deceased to provide education on necessary health protocols. This is said to ensure all health and safety protocols are adhered to during funeral proceedings.
