My Children Will Handle My Funeral... Maybe: The Realities of a COVID-19 Death Revealed
By - Jeremy G
In August 2024, we received a call one morning at 1:30 AM from a client informing us that their father had just passed away in the hospital.
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As always, we immediately started coordinating the next steps—settling the hospital bills, obtaining the death certificate, and preparing for body recovery and funeral logistics.
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When we arrived at the hospital, we were informed that the cause of death was COVID-19. This brought additional challenges, as Ministry of Health Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia) guidelines prohibit the usual process of body recovery, embalming, and wake services for COVID-19 cases due to the risk of infection.​
Nirvana Care Team Transporting Body of the Deceased
Handling a COVID-19 Death
Thankfully, having managed several COVID-19 funerals from 2020 to 2022, we were familiar with the necessary steps.
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We coordinated with the hospital mortuary to keep the body preserved while we planned the direct transfer from the hospital to Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih.
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For the family, the hardest part was understanding that a traditional funeral with the body present couldn’t happen.
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In Chinese culture, the wake is an important ritual, so this was a tough adjustment for everyone involved.
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Planning the Funeral
Once the body was preserved, we met with the family and a Nirvana Care consultant to go over the funeral details.
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We discussed the burial date, religious chanting preferences, catering, and the Chinese customs that needed to be observed.
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We also coordinated with the Ministry of Health to arrange the disinfecting and sealing of the body into the casket under health protocols.
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The Funeral and Burial Process
On the day of the funeral, we conducted a brief service, after which we returned to the hospital to recover the body.
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Our team followed strict guidelines—wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), maintaining distance, and ensuring the casket was properly sealed.
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At the burial site, family members and guests remained on the bus while the casket was taken to the grave. Only after the burial was completed were the family members able to perform the final rituals.
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Final Rituals Performed After Burial for Covid-19 Case. Dave Goh (left)
Why It's Important to Plan Ahead
This experience shows how unpredictable life can be, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many parents assume their children will know exactly what to do during difficult times, but sudden situations like these can complicate even the best intentions.
Let us handle the logistics and ensure everything is done respectfully and in line with tradition.
This way, your family can focus on what truly matters—honouring your loved one.
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