In Italy (Italy), many victims of the new crown virus died in hospital isolation wards without family or friends. Because of the high risk of infectious diseases, relatives and friends are forbidden to visit patients.
Although the health authorities says the virus does not spread after death, it can survive on clothes for hours. which means the body will be removed immediately.
"Many families are asking if we can see the last general aspect of our loved ones ," said Man Castropa (Massimo Mancastroppa), a courier in the northern city of Cremona. But this is forbidden. "
The dead can not be buried in their best or favorite clothes. Instead, they were buried in hospital gowns that were anonymous.
But mr castropa is doing everything he can to fulfill the wishes of his family.
"We put the clothes from our families on the bodies as if they were dressed ," he said. The shirt is above and the skirt is below. "
"They have no choice but to trust us ."
In this unprecedented situation, the messenger suddenly found himself become the family or friends of the deceased, even the priest!
This is because people close to the dead are often also being isolated.
According to Serato (Cerato):" We are fully responsible to our relatives and friends. "
"photo, we send a coffin to our loved ones and take the body back from the hospital to bury or cremate it. Relatives have no choice but to trust us. "
For Seratto, the most difficult thing is not to alleviate the grief of the family. Because now he can`t tell his family what he can do for the dead, but he lists them:
"We can`t help the dead change clothes, comb their hair, or make up for them. We can not make their remains look beautiful and calm. This is so sad. "
"Responsibility of the walkers"
Serato, like his father, has been a funeral worker for 30 years.
He thinks these little things are very important to the bereaved.
"For the last time, touch the cheeks of the deceased, hold their hands and see them look dignified. It`s hard not to do that. "
When the virus is raging, walkers are often forced to meet grieving families on both sides of closed doors.
Relatives are still trying to deliver letters, family heirlooms, sketches and psalms to walkers in the hope that they will be buried with their dead parents, children or siblings.
But there`s nothing in the coffin.
Because it`s illegal to bury personal belongings. It is a tough regulation designed to stop the spread of disease.
If someone dies at home, the contractor is still allowed to enter the house, but they must wear full protective gear: glasses, masks, gloves, protective coats. It was a painful sight for families who had just seen their loved ones die.
However, many walkers are now being quarantined. Some have to close their businesses.
The personnel handling the deceased now do not have enough masks, which has become a serious problem.
death in Italy topped the list
"Our protective gear is enough to keep us working for a week ," Serato said. "
"But when we run out of gear, we won`t be able to work. We are also one of the largest burial facilities in the country, so we can not imagine how others can cope. "
Prohibition of burial
An urgent national law banned funerals in Italy to prevent the spread of the virus.
This is unprecedented for countries with such strong Roman Catholic values.
Andrea (Andrea) buried at least one body a day. No one showed up to say goodbye, because everyone was in the quarantine zone
"There are only one or two persons allowed to be buried, that`s all ," he said. "No one can say a few words, just silence. "
He will try his best to avoid it whenever possible. So he would drive to the church, open the trunk with a coffin, and ask the priest to pray. This work is usually done in a few seconds because the next deceased is waiting.
Countries flooded with coffins
The funeral industry is overburdened and the number of dead is increasing.
As of now, more than 6,000 people in the country have died of the new crown virus infection, the largest death population in the world.
"We were lined up outside the cremona funeral home ," Andrea said. "
"Almost like a supermarket. "
Hospital morgue flooded in northern Italy
"The church at Clemona looks more like a warehouse ," he said. "Many other coffins are piling up in churches.
The city of Bergamo (Bergamo) has the largest number of deaths in Italy, army has to intervene to assist, and the city`s cemeteries are now saturated.
One night last week, local people watched quietly as military trucks carried more than 70 coffins across the street. Everyone has the remains of a friend or neighbor who is taken to a nearby city for cremation.
Few scenes have been more shocking since the outbreak.
Italy had to transport the bodies
Underrated soul transporte
At Italy`s darkest hour, doctors and nurse across the country were hailed as heroes and saviors.
But see-offers are not recognized for their work.
"Many people think that we are merely transporters of the soul ," he explains with a sigh. "
"Everything`s gon na be okay" has become a popular phrase on Italian social media
He says many Italians view their work as if they were the mythical Dark Boatman Karon (Charon). The myth is that Charon leads a dead soul through a river that separates the living from the dead.
In the eyes of many, this is a thankless and neglected job.
"But I can assure you that all we do is give dignity to the dead. "
"# Andratuttobene: Everything will be OK "is the theme label that has been popular in Italy since the crisis. label also attached rainbow emoji. But there is still no light.
Although everyone prayed for it, no one knew exactly when everything would get better.
(Jilla Dastmalchi)
