How to dispose Dead Humans after a Disaster?

Quick disposal of dead bodies is very important for avoiding the outbreak and spread of diseases due to their quick decay. Besides, decomposing human dead bodies on the site with fast spreading stench, present a very unpleasant environment for the rescue workers as well as surviving victims. This could have a telling effect on their mental health.

However, human dead bodies need to be handled with great care and due respect because sentimental values are attached to the dead and human dignity should be respected even in death. Therefore, the means, process and the manner of their disposal are of great importance.

The first step in this regard has to be the identification of the dead bodies. This is also required for compliance with legal formalities. In case there is no person to identify or if the body is unidentifiable, the religious/ethnic identification should be attempted diligently. Once such background of the victims has been identified, they should be suitably disposed in accordance with their religious and cultural practices. Officially, it is the duty of the police to handle the dead bodies. Unless specifically waived, a post-mortem examination has to be also arranged by police.

Resources such as fuel need to be mobilized for cremation purposes. Those whose ethnic background prescribes burial have to buried. If the families of the dead are at hand are willing to take charge of the bodies for individual disposal, this may be done. Otherwise, in case where there are no claimants or where bodies cannot be recognized they should be collectively disposed through mass burial or cremation. All this has to be done by the police or under their supervision maintaining proper records for future reference and for issue of death certificates later.

The location of disposal site is of importance because this land is then always identified as the dead body disposal site by the local residents. Instances in the past, where mass cremations of human dead bodies have been carried out in the village open space, the local villagers have latter refused to live in the village as it had acquire the reputation of being a cremation ground.