Undertakers: We can’t bury the dead safely without kit

One Sussex funeral director warned that despite advice to wear full body protection including respirator masks, gloves and plastic aprons while collecting corpses, undertakers are being left “dangerously short” of equipment to guard against the virus.

Speaking anonymously, he described how in the absence of officially provided safety clothing, he and his colleagues were competing with panic-buying members of the public to find their own masks from hardware shops.

“We’ve even had to make our own hand gel – we shouldn’t have to do that,” he said.

His warning came as undertakers began removing the first bodies of Covid-19 victims in the county.

A virologist at the University of Sussex explained there was still a risk the virus could be passed on through contact with a corpse, even though the infection will no longer be transmitted through droplets in the breath.

The undertaker told The Argus that limits imposed in shops to prevent the public from bulk-buying have left his team unable to find what they need.

He said he managed to source a handful of respirators from ScrewFix on Friday, but is now struggling after the store phoned and said he could not buy any more.

“I understand,” he said. 

“For all they know I could have been putting them up on eBay for twice the price.

“But these are the disappointments, concerns and worries we’re facing.

“We need to be recognised as an emergency service — because right now, that’s exactly what we are.”

The undertaker said there has been a lack of guidance on how to remove the bodies of coronavirus victims. 

“There seem to be mixed messages coming from Public Health England, our own industry representatives, and coroners up and down the country,” he said.

He also raised concerns about funerals, one of the few public gatherings still permitted after the Government imposed tight restrictions on Sunday night.

Funeral directors have been advised to limit guests to “immediate close family”.

But he said it remained unclear how many people should attend. 
Earlier this week, one crematorium advised families they could have no more than 25 mourners.

The funeral director said he also worries that collecting bodies amid the pandemic will become increasingly harrowing for relatives.

“We’re advised to kit up completely, use body bags, double gloves, a respirator, and an apron — things we wouldn’t normally do,” he said.

“I would usually just go in a suit, shirt, tie and try and do it with as little fuss as possible.

“It’s difficult because you want to retain that sensitivity —but sadly it’s just not possible now.”

Public Health England did not respond to The Argus’s request for comment.
Screwfix said it had ringfenced respirator masks for NHS workers.

When approached by The Argus, the National Association of Funeral Directors called for clarity and support from the Government.

A spokeswoman said: “Although the Government confirmed in its most recent guidance that the risk of transmission is lower after death, we have not seen the science to know precisely what this means for funeral directors.

“Therefore we are continuing to urge funeral directors to follow the Government’s most recent infection control guidance. 

“However, we are aware that there is additional and sometimes inconsistent guidance being issued locally, which is increasing confusion.

“In addition, like parts of the NHS, increasing numbers of funeral directors no longer have adequate supplies of PPE [personal protective equipment] to allow them to follow standard infection control guidance.

“We are therefore urging Government to issue funeral sector-specific national advice so that funeral directors can feel confident that they are minimising the risk of transmission – as well as ensuring funeral staff, who are categorised as key workers, have access to the supplies they need.

“Until we have further clarity, we have guided funeral firms to follow the guidance set out on the Government’s COVID-19: infection prevention and control web page.”