Managing Corpses With Specific Communicable Diseases
Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, there are requirements to properly manage corpses with the following communicable diseases:
- Anthrax
- Ebola virus disease
- Haemorrhagic fevers (other viral causes)
- Lassa fever
- Marburg virus disease
- Plague
- Smallpox
The Health Department is required to approve requests for corpse removal, opening of a body bag/casket/container, disinterment and/or shipment of a deceased person who was confirmed, suspected, or isolated for having a specific communicable disease, as listed above.
Note: The Health Department may restrict the attendance of persons at the funeral of a corpse having a specific communicable disease as listed above.
It is important to handle corpses as per O. Reg. 557 to prevent transmission of disease to others involved in their handling.
The frequently asked questions below are intended for settings that may handle corpses, such as: funeral homes, burial establishments, body transfer services and sites, cemeteries, coroners, acute care facilities and other institutional settings.
Frequently asked questions
Which communicable diseases require proper corpse management and/or approval for corpse removal, opening of a body bag/casket/container, disinterment and/or shipment? |
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How can I apply for approval to manage a corpse with one of the seven specific communicable diseases? |
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What documentation is acceptable to confirm if a corpse was confirmed, suspected, or isolated for having a specific communicable disease as listed above? |
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What are the responsibilities of a person or an establishment having custody of a corpse having a specific communicable disease as listed above? |
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What is the proper shipping/transportation criteria of a corpse having a specific communicable disease listed above? |
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How do I know which health unit has jurisdiction to approve a request or ensure the regulation is complied with? |
The health unit in which the person died has jurisdiction to receive requests for approvals for corpse removal, opening of a body bag/casket/container, disinterment and/or shipment, and ensuring the regulation is complied with. Examples:
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