Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations

Abstract

[Introduction]: This manual provides the technical information that will support the correct approach to handling dead bodies, taking into account the following principles: a) When death is the result of a disaster, the body does not pose a risk for infection; b) Victims should never be buried in common graves; c) Mass cremation of bodies should never take place when this goes against the cultural and religious norms of the population; d) Every effort must be taken to identify the bodies. As a last resort, unidentified bodies should be placed in individual niches or trenches, which is a basic human right of the surviving family members.