Shia Central Waqf Board chairman suggests cremation of Muslims dying of coronavirus: Report

"If a Muslim person dies due to COVID-19 infection, the dead body should be burnt in the electric machines available in the crematorium so that the deadly virus also gets killed, " Rizvi was quoted as saying in a Times Now report.

In case the pandemic claimed more lives, the Shia Board will take a call if the deceased from the community would be cremated or buried in the graveyards.

"Irrespective of religion, all people should stand together in the fight against coronavirus," he asserted, the report added.

Rizvi stressed the essentiality of brotherhood among different religious communities to win the fight over COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Islam, its believers should be buried in a Kabristan(Muslim graveyard) after death.

According to a Ministry of Health directive pertaining to dead body management in COVID-19 cases, there is no risk of transmission of the disease from a dead body as such provided the set rules are followed.

"Only the lungs of dead COVID patients, if handled during an autopsy, can be infectious," the directive has said.

It has been also said that the staff at the crematorium and burying grounds should be sensitised on the matter.

"The staff will practice standard precautions of hand hygiene, use of masks and gloves," it mentions.

Religious rituals that do not require touching of the body have also not been prohibited.

"Viewing of the dead body by unzipping the face end of the body bag (by the staff using standard precautions) may be allowed, for the relatives to see the body for one last time," it says.

However, bathing, kissing, hugging, etc. of the dead body have been disallowed.