They too deserve a dignified burial

With deaths due to Covid-19 rising in Chattogram, bereaved families are facing yet another grim reality -- not being able to bury their loved ones with full rituals due to the fear of exposing themselves to the virus. In many cases, families and community members have not been able to attend the funeral prayers either because of physical distancing measures or due to fear of the infection.  

The World Health Organization provided an interim guideline on March 24 saying, "To date there is no evidence of people becoming infected from exposure to the bodies those who died from Covid-19." Yet, the fear of transmission has made many reluctant in preparing the body for and performing the burial.

Amid such uncertainties, volunteers of Al Manahil Welfare Foundation have come forward to provide funeral services and bury those who died of Covid-19. The foundation has been providing the service since April.

Once they receive a call from the police control room, they prepare for the funeral, said Farid Uddin bin Jamir Uddin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the foundation.

Till now, they have performed burials of over 100 bodies, he added.

Asked what prompted the foundation to take the initiative, Farid said after hearing the news of people leaving the bodies unattended, members of their organisation decided to do something about it.

"Reading about such news was heartbreaking. Can you imagine body of your loved one left unattended, no one is there to perform the last rites? Every deceased, infected by Covid-19 or not, deserves a dignified burial," he added.

In April, the foundation, led by its chairman Helal Uddin, met the police commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, the deputy commissioner of Chattogram and health officials of the division to put their plans into motion.

After getting approval, they started their endeavour with 32 volunteers and five ambulances, he said.

He said they also wash, clean and dress the bodies. "In many cases, locals appreciated our initiative when we went to bury a deceased in their locality while some did not want us to be there. But we continued with our efforts," he added.

Farid Uddin urged people to donate them PPE, mask, gloves and face shields so that they can perform the burial works efficiently in the coming days.

Arshad Ali, a member of the foundation, said in a crisis, everyone should try their best to help others any way they can.

Contacted, Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram district, said they are grateful to the foundation. "Without their support, the task of managing coronavirus related deaths would have been really difficult for us," he added.