SAM’S mother died in Taiping, Perak yesterday but he did not attend the funeral, even though he was just an hour’s drive away, because of the movement control order (MCO).

The retiree stays in Ipoh and when he learnt of his mum’s death, he sought permission from the police to travel but was told he needed to provide the death certificate and his birth certificate to prove he was the son.

That was not all, Sam was also told that while Ipoh police could allow him to travel, he would need permission to return from Taiping police. There were just too many uncertainties and Sam decided not to go.

This is something new Malaysians are facing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which has put the country into partial lockdown as the authorities insist on people staying at home and practising social distancing when going out to buy food and essential items.

As of yesterday, the Covid-19 virus has infected 2,470 Malaysians with 35 deaths reported. It was reported that those who died of Covid-19 were taken to the crematorium or cemetery directly from hospital.  

Funerals, which generally draw large crowds, are now restricted to 10 or 15 close family members of the deceased. Wakes are also no longer held for relatives and friends to pay their last respects.

The Malaysian Insight spoke to funeral service directors, undertakers and those with authority from various religious groups to see how Malaysians say their last goodbyes to loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Small turnouts

Apart from organising the wake and service, Trinity Funeral Services director Jude Anthony has added another task for his workers – they take down the particulars of attendees in case the need for contact tracing should arise.

“We ensure all contact details of those who visit wakes are recorded for contact tracing should the need arise. We also ensure sanitisers are strategically placed at venues of wakes and doorknobs, microphones, etc are regularly cleaned and disinfected,” he said.

In these times of social distancing, he said it is sad to see the small turnout at funerals.

“Before the MCO, everyone who is known to the deceased could attend the wake and funeral service whereas now the number of persons who attend wakes and funerals are limited.

“What about big families who have many members? So many people feel disappointed when they cannot participate in the farewell of a person who was close to them,” Jude said.

He said most wakes and funerals during the MCO now are limited to 10 to 15 people who comprise mostly immediate family members.

“We have… not handled any Covid-19 cases. However, we are prepared to handle such cases when the situation arises with the assistance of guidelines from the authorities.

Jude said he feels helpless for families who can’t participate in the funeral of their loved ones.

“We feel sorry for immediate family members who have migrated abroad and are now not even allowed to return for the funeral,” he added.

No kissing

Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said Islam prioritises life and that is why procedures to bury the dead have been simplified in light of the hazardous times.

“The top priority for the Muslim community now is to avoid getting infected with the Covid-19 virus,” Wan Salim said.

He said among the measures to expedite burials is to replace the ritual bathing of the corpse with cleansing with dust (tayammum).

Wan Salim said kissing the corpse of a loved one was also forbidden to avoid infection

Wan Salim said Islam gave its followers a choice and in situations that can be fatal, it was best to to do what was appropriate.

Family only

Families of the deceased now have cut short the wakes, said Malaysia Funeral Public Association president Kong Thian Hau.

“Before this, the wakes could last three to five days. Now it is a one-day affair which is restricted to immediate family members only. Even relatives are not allowed to come and pay their last respects,” he said.

The association treasurer Lim Kok Chong said apart from shortened wake, the religious rites are also cut short and are not held in a public space.

“Usually, funeral rites can take up several hours but now it has to be done in 10 minutes,” Lim said.

“Even for the last rites at crematoriums, the number of people attending cannot exceed 20 people.”

Lim said families now will have the prayers for the deceased after the MCO ends.

He said funerals during this period can be tricky as families need to understand the restrictions which are imposed for their own benefit.

“We need to inform families of the restrictions and the dos and don’ts.”

There are now no wakes for Hindu funerals, and burial or cremation has to be done on the same day, said undertaker B. Arumugam, owner of Arumugam Funeral Services.

“No tents are put up as a way to discourage people from gathering,” he said, noting it was the norm for Hindus and Chinese to keep the remains while waiting for loved ones who live out of town or overseas to return for the funerak.

“With the MCO, burials and cremations have to be done immediately.”

Arumugam provides his services in the Klang Valley and Pahang but since the MCO, his services are now confined to Pahang.

He said any funeral service now had to be provided by undertakers in the area and those who did inter-state services were confined to their own location.

“On March 19, my brother passed away and only immediate family members were allowed to attend the wake and final service.

“My nephew who is in Tapah, had to get approval from the police to perform the final rites and had to return immediately after the funeral,” he told The Malaysian Insight

He also said at the crematorium or cemetery, a maximum of 10 people are allowed to perform the final rites, who are usually the immediate family members. – March 30, 2020.