Question: How can I protect myself while preparing bodies for burial?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral and Burial Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
section_headers: COVID-19 and Funerals
How do you protect yourself after body preparation?
section_content: After the body has been prepared for viewing and burial, clean surfaces using
EPA-approved products in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for all
cleaning and disinfection products (such as concentration, application method,
and contact time).

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claimspdf iconexternal icon are expected to be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses.
After removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Information on cleaning and sanitizing can be found on the CDC website:

For facilitites
For households


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This answer is excellent because it provides information as to how one can prepare a body safely for a funeral so they don’t catch COVID.
While the answer does not talk about what to do regarding the actual body itself it does give advice for what to do in order to disinfect once the body has already been prepared which might be useful information.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral and Burial Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
section_headers: COVID-19 and Funerals
How do you transport the body of a person who has died from COVID-19?
section_content: Follow these steps if you are involved in transporting the body of someone who
died from COVID-19:

If the body of a tribal member needs to be moved, wear disposable gloves and contain the body in a body bag, an impermeable shroud, or another impermeable covering that does not allow body fluids to leak from the enclosure. The virus that causes COVID-19 is not thought to be carried by blood (bloodborne), but leaked fluids could cause exposure to pathogens.
If a body bag is used to contain the body, disinfect the outside of the bag with an EPA-approved disinfectant for emerging viral pathogensexternal icon. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products including concentration, application method, and contact time.
Following transport of the body, carefully remove your gloves and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Answer refers to the transportation of the body as opposed to the preparation for burial but does include additional information regarding the possibility of COVID-19 spread that might be relevant.
This answer is acceptable because it provides information as to how people can protect themselves from COVID while transporting a dead body. This answer is not excellent because it doesn’t talk about preparing a dead body in specific.

Reviewer ratings:
Could be Improved
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions: Funeral and Burial Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
section_headers: COVID-19 and Funerals
Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19 after they have passed away?
section_content: You should avoid touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19, before
the body is prepared for viewing.
Though we are still learning more about how COVID-19 spreads, it may be
possible that you could get COVID-19 by touching the body of someone who has
died of COVID-19. After the body has been prepared for viewing there may
be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching,
such as holding the hand or hugging. But you should avoid other activities,
such as kissing, washing, and shrouding before and during body preparation.
After any contact with the body, be sure to wash your hands with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available,
use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Actual body preparation is addressed here including the fact that it is unknown whether COVID-19 can be contracted from a corpse or not.
This answer is acceptable because it is very informative as to how one can protect themselves from a dead body that was infected by COVID, but does not specify information about how to prepare a body in specific.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable