Why do some doctors advise against kissing a deceased loved one

Ouadie Rhabbouron

💀Real cases of postmortem transmission

  • USA, 2017 – A man contracts hepatitis B after kissing his deceased relative.

  • An undertaker contracts tuberculosis as a result of contact with an unembalmed body.

  • During Ebola epidemics, direct contact with the deceased is strictly prohibited due to high contagiousness.

These cases are rare, but they demonstrate the need for awareness and precautions.

❤️The emotional significance of the final touch

Despite medical concerns, grief and palliative care experts emphasize the therapeutic value of physical contact with a deceased person.

“Sometimes seeing and touching the body helps people move from denial to acceptance.”
— Dr. Sarah Thompson, grief counselor

✅How to honor your loved one safely

  1. Talk to a funeral director or doctor

    • Ask about the cause of death and potential infections.

    • Find out if the body was embalmed.

  2. Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids

    • If possible, use gloves or wet wipes.

    • Stay away from open wounds, nose, or mouth.

  3. 🌍Cultural and religious practices

    • Islam – washing and separating the body from the family.

    • Hinduism – touching and carrying the body before cremation.

    • Christian and local traditions – saying goodbye with a kiss or touch as a spiritual act.

    Medical advice must take into account cultural and religious sensitivities.

    🧠Final thoughts: a balance between love, safety, and respect

    Saying goodbye to a loved one is one of the most profound human experiences. Modern medicine offers important warnings, but it is equally important to recognize the need for physical closeness and emotional completeness.

    With proper awareness and precautionary steps, families can pay their respects while protecting their own health.

    Ultimately, the decision to kiss or touch a deceased person is a deeply personal one—take it with love and informed understanding.

    This article is for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate and always consult a qualified medical professional before applying any information from the text. The editorial team does not guarantee results and is not responsible for any damages resulting from its use.

    Wash your hands thoroughly.

    • Soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

    • Disinfectant in the absence of water.

  4. Alternatives to saying goodbye

    • Hold hands instead of kissing.

    • Leave a flower or memento at the casket.

    • Light a candle, write a letter, observe a moment of silence.

  5. Watch for symptoms

    • If you feel unwell in the days following the visit, inform a doctor and share the contact information.

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She signed the divorce papers in silence—no one in the room realized her billionaire father was sitting quietly in the back, watching everything unfold. The ink hadn’t even dried when Ethan Carter let out a soft laugh and slid a black Amex card across the polished mahogany table “Take it, Emily. That should cover a small, cheap place for a month. Consider it compensation for the two years you wasted as my wife.” From the side, his girlfriend Vanessa let out a quiet laugh, already imagining how she’d transform Ethan’s luxury penthouse into her own. They saw Emily as nothing—just a woman with no status, no support, no one to fall back on. They assumed she was afraid. What they failed to notice was the man in the charcoal suit seated silently at the back of the room. They didn’t know he was Alexander Reed—the owner of the entire building… and Emily’s father. And they certainly didn’t realize that the moment she signed those papers, Ethan had already lost everything. The conference room at Harrison & Cole carried the scent of leather, old coffee, and the quiet collapse of a marriage. It overlooked the city skyline, where rain traced slow lines down the windows, leaving Phoenix gray and distant. Emily sat calmly on one side of the long table. Her hands rested lightly in her lap. She wore a simple cream cardigan, slightly worn, with no jewelry—not even her wedding ring, which she had removed days earlier. Across from her sat Ethan. He looked exactly like the successful entrepreneur he claimed to be—tailored navy suit, expensive watch, and a confident smile that bordered on arrogance. “Let’s not make this complicated, Emily,” he said, pushing the papers toward her. The pages brushed softly against the table. “We’re both exhausted. This marriage was a mistake from the beginning.” “A mistake…” she echoed quietly. Her voice was steady, her eyes fixed on the bold title at the top: Dissolution of Marriage. “Don’t play the victim,” Ethan said with a sigh, leaning back. “When I met you, you were just a waitress. I thought I was helping you—giving you a better life. But you never fit into my world.” He gestured dismissively. “You don’t know how to behave at events. You can’t hold a conversation with investors. You’re just… forgettable.” Vanessa added without looking up from her phone, “She really is, Ethan. And her cooking? Honestly embarrassing.” Ethan chuckled. “My company is going public next month. My team says it’s better if I’m single. It’s a cleaner image.” Emily looked at him. “So after two years of marriage… I’ve become a liability?” “It’s business,” he replied coolly. “Don’t take it personally.” He tapped the papers. “The prenup says you get nothing. But I’m being generous.” He nudged the card closer to her. “There’s money on it. Enough to start over somewhere modest. And you can keep the old car.” Emily’s voice remained calm. “I don’t want your money, Ethan.” She paused slightly. “And I don’t want the car either…”