Sabah undertaker relates distressing process of burying Covid-19 dead

 By Olivia Miwil - October 19, 2020 @ 11:45am

Yunizam Yusop and his team of undertakers here have been struggling to keep up with a surge in demand for burials of Covid-19 patients’ remains. - Photo courtesy of Abam Botak.

SANDAKAN: Yunizam Yusop and his team of undertakers here have been struggling to keep up with a surge in demand for burials of Covid-19 patients' remains.

Despite additional hassles amidst the pandemic, Yunizam is providing his funeral services free-of-charge.

"As of yesterday, we had helped to bury 12 Covid-19 patients aged between 40 and 100.

"Our duty begins right after the hospital pronounces their death, until the body is buried," the 32-year-old told the New Straits Times.

He said Covid-19-related funerals began during the Sabah election campaign, last month.

He said upon receiving a call from a hospital, Yunizam and his team head to the ward to help manage the body for prayers and burial preparations.

From the hospitals to the burial sites, the team's hearse is also escorted by the police and hospital personnel.

Yunizam said due to strict protocols in managing Covid-19 cases, no family members of the deceased are allowed to bid a final farewell to their loved one.

"There is no chance at all for the next of kin to see the patients. Some of them have requested us to take pictures and even record videos of the burial process for them.

"It is really a sad moment. But, my team and I have to stay strong as we need to work in tandem with other frontliners," Yunizam added.

Sandakan is one of 15 red zones in the state, with 660 cases recorded yesterday. To date, 61 deaths have been reported.

Sabah has 4,650 active cases, with seven yellow zones.