The instinct to kiss a deceased loved one before burial or cremation is powerful and deeply emotional. For many people, that final gesture feels like an essential expression of love, closure, and respect. Yet health experts caution against this practice, warning that physical contact with a dead body—especially kissing the face—may carry avoidable health risks.

Although touching or kissing the deceased is a familiar custom in many cultures, including those across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent, infectious-disease specialists emphasize that the tradition can be dangerous when the cause of death involves a transmissible infection. The intention may be loving, but the risk can be real.

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Why Health Authorities Warn Against Close Contact

The World Health Organization has long advised the public to be careful around the bodies of individuals who died from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, Covid-19, meningitis, and various haemorrhagic fevers.
Depending on the illness and how long the person was sick, pathogens can remain on the skin, in bodily fluids, and within the respiratory tract for a period of time after death. While the deceased can no longer spread infection through breathing, microorganisms on the surface of the body may still pose a threat if touched or contacted with the eyes, nose, or mouth.

In the UAE—where families often gather closely around the deceased, particularly in moments of shared grief—doctors say greater awareness is needed. This is especially true when a loved one passes away in a hospital or during outbreaks, when the cause of death can involve infectious agents.

A US-based infectious disease specialist explains that certain viruses and bacteria can survive for hours or, in some cases, days after death.
He notes that touching or kissing the face, eyes, or mouth of the deceased before the body has been properly sanitised or prepared increases the risk of exposure.

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Cultural Traditions and Evolving Religious Guidance

In Islamic tradition, showing respect to the dead is of deep spiritual significance. Ritual washing and preparation of the body are performed with care, dignity, and devotion. However, scholars and clerics have increasingly adapted their guidance to align with modern medical knowledge—particularly in the aftermath of global health emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many religious authorities now advise families to avoid close physical contact until trained personnel have washed, disinfected, and shrouded the body under hygienic conditions. This approach balances religious honour with protection for the living.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, public health agencies across the Gulf region enforced strict protocols around body handling. Physical contact with the deceased was temporarily prohibited, bringing widespread awareness of post-mortem infection risks and reinforcing the importance of safe rituals.

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Lessons From Past Outbreaks

Experiences from Africa and parts of the Middle East have further demonstrated the dangers of handling bodies without proper precautions. During outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses, corpses remained highly infectious, prompting governments to deploy specialised burial teams trained to prevent viral transmission.

These events offered a painful but critical reminder: even after death, certain pathogens retain the ability to infect anyone who touches the body without protective measures. The emotional desire to hold or kiss a loved one must be balanced with realistic assessments of risk.

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Modern Safety Measures and Practical Guidance

Experts note that modern mortuary services—when applied correctly—significantly reduce the risk of infection. The processes of disinfecting, washing, shrouding, and preparing the deceased are designed to protect both family members and the wider community.

Still, when families choose to participate in washing or preparation rituals, health professionals encourage them to:

• wear disposable gloves,

• avoid direct contact with bodily fluids,

• limit contact with the face, and

• follow the instructions of trained staff.

These steps preserve both dignity and safety.

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Grief, Love, and Informed Caution

The emotional urge to kiss a loved one goodbye is deeply human and entirely understandable. It reflects love, longing, and the desire for closeness at a moment of profound loss. Nevertheless, doctors and public health experts emphasize that informed caution can prevent further heartbreak by protecting those who remain.

By honouring cultural and religious traditions while embracing medical advice, families can safeguard their health and still pay meaningful respect to the deceased. In this balance between love and precaution, communities can preserve both compassion and safety—ensuring that the living are protected as they mourn and remember.