Mourning in Covid-19 era

17 Jul, 2020 - 00:07 0 Views
Mourning in Covid-19 era Under the lockdown regulations, only 50 people are allowed to attend burial

The ManicaPost

Post Reporters

As the world grapples with Covid-19, countries are tackling it in various ways.

National lockdowns at different levels have been put in place across the world. These have resulted in a monumental change in the daily lives of the human race.

In most Zimbabwean set-ups — both urban and rural — funerals are usually large gathering events that involve immediate and extended family members, friends, colleagues as well as the entire neighbourhood.

Traditionally, the funeral can last for at least three days, with others dragging for over a week to accommodate loved ones that need to travel from faraway places.

The Covid-19 pandemic has however, brought about a new way of giving our beloved ones send-offs.

Mourners and funeral parlours now have to adhere to regulations in order to stop the spread of the virus, including physical distancing.

Under the lockdown regulations, only 50 people are allowed to attend burial, while night vigils are also restricted.

The famous drum beating, song and dance are long gone at most funerals. Most people either spend the night around bonfires or indoors consoling the bereaved.

However, a survey that was recently conducted by The Manica Post revealed that most mourners are not adhering to Covid-19 prevention guidelines.

Handshakes and hugs are still being exchanged generously as mourners console each other.

In some instances, some mourners wearing no face masks were spotted.

While the Ministry of Health and Child Care personnel are discouraging the serving of food at large gatherings, catering is still being done at most funerals.

A recent funeral of a provincial liberation war heroine in Chikanga, Mutare, lasted for five days as hundreds of people converged to pay their last respects to the late Cde Judith Maunze.

Although the majority of mourners were putting on face masks most of the time, physical distancing was not being observed at the funeral. Overloaded lorries and small vehicles ferried the mourners.

Mourners were exchanging handshakes willy nilly but hand washing basins were not provided. 

However, during her burial at the Manicaland Provincial Heroes’ Acre, which coincided with the burial of another heroine, physical distancing was observed.

A Dangamvura resident who recently lost a relative, Mr Canisio Masara, argued that it is difficult to adhere to the law during a funeral.

“Although many people are aware of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is difficult to control the mourners. At one time more than 70 people were gathered at my relative’s house. Providing them with meals was also a challenge as noone seemed to know the actual number of people to be fed as the numbers kept on fluctuating,” he said.

Pastor Ignatius Siziba of Church of Christ in Zimbabwe said some mourners are disregarding the health and safety guidelines.

“We are having a torrid time in controlling mourners at funerals. Most people are not taking this pandemic seriously. They are accustomed to traditional ways of consoling relatives of the deceased, like hugging and exchanging handshakes.

“We recently conducted a burial at Zongoro in Mutasa and most of the mourners were not putting on face masks,” said Pastor Siziba.

“Although health personnel discouraged catering services, mourners ended up being fed because family members argued that it was their departed father’s wish for meals to be provided,” he said.

“When we conduct burials, we always remind mourners that only 50 people are allowed to attend but you find more than 100 people converging at the cemetery.

“There is still that belief that I should be seen at my relative or neighbour’s burial for their family to reciprocate that gesture in the event of a bereavement in my own family.

“There is need to change that mind-set. If we fail to appreciate efforts being made by Government to contain the spread of Covid-19, more people will lose their lives to this virus,” he said.

Nyaradzo Funeral Services operations manager, Mr Justin Muchazivepi said the funeral parlour is following guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and are handling all bodies as potentially infectious.

“When handling bodies, we use full protective gear regardless of the cause of death. The number of family members visiting our parlours to collect their loved ones’ bodies has been reduced to five only. We have suspended chapel services at our premises,” said Mr Muchazivepi.

He said the parlour has suspended hiring out equipment that supports huge gatherings of people. In particular, only 50 chairs are released for any funeral while the parlour’s discretion is used on releasing mobile toilets.

Following a waiver from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the funeral parlour resumed bus services on July 1.

However, the number of passengers aboard each bus has been reduced to 30 to enable physical distancing.

“Before boarding the bus, mourners’ hand are sanitised. They are all supposed to have their face masks on,” said Mr Muchazivepi.

“For the bus service, families now organise pick-up points. We no longer allow mourners to be picked from any of our service centres as we host many families there,” he said.

However, Mr Muchazivepi said it is not the parlour’s mandate to ensure that not more than 50 people attend the funeral.

“At our parlours, we can enforce compliance but it is a different scenario once we leave our premises. We do not have the authority to control the number of people attending the funeral, but we always encourage our teams on the ground to practice physical distancing and keep away from the crowds.

“Out there in Chiendambuya, Makoni; Muzokomba in Buhera or Mhakwe in Chimanimani; the family takes over the funeral proceedings

“We therefore rely on community leaders when it comes to observing set guidelines during funerals. The success of this approach differs from family to family. Some families are very strict and are encouraging mourners to disperse. On the other hand, some families are not bothered by the crowds,” he said.

Mr Muchazivepi said caskets should be carried by four pallbearers who should exercise extreme caution due to their proximity to each other.

“Those carrying the casket should have their face masks on,” he said.

Chipinge District Medical Officer, Dr Brian Makumbe said they have adopted a holistic approach to fight Covid-19 in the rural areas.

“We have trained a number of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, volunteers and councillors, to oversee funerals. They usually attend the funerals and educate mourners on the Covid-19 safety measures. They also ensure that gatherings do not exceed 50 people at any given time,” said Dr Makumbe.

Chipinge Rural District Council vice-chairperson, Councillor Charles Mugidho said whenever a death occurs in a rural set-up, they are encouraging the bereaved family to contact the local environmental health technicians, instead of handling the body on their own.

“We are discouraging the handling of corpses by villagers. When a loved one passes on, people should report the death to the local environmental health technicians. These technicians will team up with volunteer health workers trained by the Ministry of Health and Child Care to assist bereaved families with procedures to follow when burying their loved ones.

“Some opt to wash the bodies of their late relatives as per their traditions, but this practice exposes many people to Covid-19,” he said. Councillor Mugidho said they are not allowing burials to be conducted without the supervision of health personnel.

“At every funeral, health personnel should avail sanitisers. Programmes are now being shortened so that people disperse quickly.

“On those who die outside the country, bodies should be taken straight to their final resting places without being kept at home. We have had several cases of this nature and procedures were followed,” said the Ward 20 councillor.

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