PETALING JAYA, May 21 (Sin Chew Daily) — Only one to two family members get to say goodbye to their loved ones who have passed away due to COVID-19, according to Chen Jie Ming, a committee member of the Malaysia Funeral Public Association.

In an interview with Pocketimes, Chen said only two family members were allowed to be present at the mortuary with an undertaker, in personal protective outfits, to identify the deceased while the rest of the family could only see the deceased for the last time through video or live telecast.

Chen, a manager of Sentosa Casket Services, said family members of the deceased dying of COVID-19 were allowed to opt for burial or cremation but they were required to comply with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).

An officer from the health department would be present to monitor the entire process right from claiming of the remains at the mortuary to completion of funeral service.

The undertaker is only given a few hours to handle the remains, either to cremate or bury.

"There will be neither wake nor prayer services except for an officer from the health department and the undertaker," he said.

Chen said family members would find their way to the cemetery or crematorium to attend the funeral from a distance.

"Family members are not allowed to bring home the remains or send the remains to funeral homes," he said.

To make up, the undertaker would offer family members to participate in the live telecast of the funeral or to produce a video for the funeral.

Chen said undertakers are familiar with the strict SOPs imposed by the government now.