The impulse to kiss a deceased loved one before burial or cremation is a deeply emotional and instinctive response shared across many cultures. In moments of grief, physical closeness can feel like an essential part of saying goodbye.

However, health experts strongly advise the public to avoid kissing the bodies of deceased individuals, stressing that this act can carry meaningful health risks that are often underestimated.

While the practice of touching or kissing the deceased is common in different regions—including the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and parts of Africa—infectious disease specialists warn that such traditions may expose mourners to preventable dangers, particularly when the individual has died from a communicable illness.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly emphasised caution when handling the bodies of those who suffered from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, Covid-19, meningitis, and various haemorrhagic fevers. According to global health guidance, a body may continue to harbour harmful pathogens on the skin, in bodily fluids, or within the respiratory tract for hours or even days after death, depending on the illness involved.

In the UAE, where close family gatherings following a death are customary, doctors highlight the importance of awareness—especially when a person dies in a hospital or during a time of increased disease transmission. Medical professionals note that even when a body appears peaceful and still, viruses and bacteria can survive for a limited period, creating a window of potential risk.

A specialist in infectious diseases at a US-based medical centre explained that microorganisms may linger on the face, eyes, or around the mouth of the deceased. He added that “kissing or touching these areas before proper sanitisation or preparation by trained medical staff can expose mourners to avoidable infection risks.”

In Islamic tradition, showing dignity and respect to the deceased is of profound importance, often involving washing, shrouding, and preparing the body. Scholars and clerics, however, increasingly align their guidance with modern medical advice—particularly after global health emergencies such as Covid-19. Many now recommend avoiding intimate contact with the body until it has been fully cleansed by qualified personnel under hygienic conditions.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, public health authorities across the Gulf introduced strict protocols for handling the dead. These included prohibiting physical contact, implementing PPE requirements, and ensuring rapid, controlled burial procedures. Such measures heightened public understanding of how infections can persist even after death.

Public health professionals stress that while the expression of grief is essential for emotional healing, physical safety must remain a priority. They encourage families to observe rituals that respect religious and cultural traditions without compromising health. This may include standing at a respectful distance, offering prayers, or viewing the body without direct contact.

Across Africa and parts of the Middle East, past outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses highlighted the extreme dangers associated with post-mortem transmission. Both diseases can remain highly infectious after death, prompting governments to deploy specialised emergency teams trained to handle bodies safely and prevent community spread.

Experts note that modern mortuary procedures—when conducted properly—dramatically reduce the risk of infection. Still, families are urged to wear gloves, use disinfectants, and avoid direct contact with bodily fluids if they participate in any aspect of body preparation or farewell rituals.

Ultimately, while the longing to give a final kiss to a loved one is deeply human and emotionally powerful, medical professionals insist that informed caution is crucial. By balancing cultural traditions with scientifically-grounded safety practices, families can protect themselves and their communities while still honouring the memory of the deceased with love, dignity, and respect.