How to conduct safe and dignified burial of a patient who has died from suspected or confirmed Ebola or Marburg virus disease
Authors: WHO
WHO has developed a protocol to provide information on the safe management of burial of patients who died from suspected or confirmed Ebola or Marburg virus disease. These measures should be applied not only by medical personnel but by anyone involved in the management of burial of suspected or confirmed Ebola or Marburg patients.
Twelve steps have been identified describing the different phases Burial Teams have to follow to ensure safe burials, starting from the moment the teams arrive in the village up to their return to the hospital or team headquarters after burial and disinfection procedures. These steps are based
on tested experiences from the field.
The handling of human remains should be kept to a minimum. Always take into account cultural and religious concerns. Only trained personnel should handle remains during the outbreak.
The burial process is very sensitive for the family and the community and can be the source of trouble or even open conflict. Before starting any procedure the family must be fully informed about the dignified burial process and their religious and personal rights to show respect for the deceased. Ensure that the formal agreement of the family has been given before starting the burial. No burial should begin until family agreement has been obtained.
Step 1: Prior to departure: Team composition and preparation of disinfectants
Step 2: Assemble all necessary equipment
Step 3: Arrival at deceased patient home: prepare burial with family and evaluate risks
Step 4: Put on all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Step 5: Placement of the body in the body bag
Step 6: Placement of the body bag in a coffin where culturally appropriate
Step 7: Sanitize family’s environment
Step 8: Remove PPE, manage waste and perform hand hygiene
Step 9: Transport the coffin or the body bag to the cemetery
Step 10: Burial at the cemetery : place coffin or body bag into the grave.
Step 11: Burial at the cemetery : engaging community for prayers to dissipates tensions
and provide respectful time.
Step 12: Return to the hospital or team headquarters