Why do some doctors advise against kissing a deceased loved one?

Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan doctor with 300,000 TikTok followers, went viral after warning against kissing deceased loved ones. He explained that even after death, harmful bacteria may linger, especially if the person died from an infection. In rare cases, these germs could be passed on through contact.

His video triggered strong reactions. Some agreed, citing safety. Others felt it disrespected a sacred tradition.

Grief vs. Caution: Navigating the Farewell
Across cultures, touching or kissing the deceased is a long-standing tradition. It’s part of how we process grief. A soft kiss on the forehead or holding the hand of a loved one is often seen as a final act of love.

But during outbreaks of infectious disease, such as COVID-19, public health guidelines have advised against such practices—not out of fear, but to prevent potential spread. In these contexts, even a small risk becomes significant.

Related Posts

“My Husband Left for a Business Trip — Minutes Later, My Six-Year-Old Whispered, ‘Mommy… We Have to Run. Now.’”

My husband Derek had just left for a business trip when my six-year-old daughter tugged my sleeve with trembling fingers and whispered words that would shatter everything…

My husband kissed my forehead and said, “France. Just a short business trip.”

My husband kissed my forehead and said, “France. Just a short business trip.” A few hours later, as I stepped out of the operating room, my heart…

My eight-year-old son was beaten nearly to death in his grandfather’s driveway while three grown men laughed and held him down.

My eight-year-old son was beaten nearly to death in his grandfather’s driveway while three grown men laughed and held him down. That sentence still does not feel…

Never Had To Speak Until One Day Everything Changed

Wyatt came downstairs with that half-smile he had been wearing since he was seventeen, the one that meant he had already decided how the room was going…

I Was the Only One at My Grandpa’s Funeral Until a General Saw His Ring and Asked Me One Question

The Quiet Man As told by his granddaughter My grandfather was the quietest person in every room he ever entered. Not shy, not withdrawn, not socially inept…

My Parents Threw Me Out at 16 Until Years Later They Came Begging Without Knowing Who I Had Become

The Inheritance I was staring at the email when I realized my hands were shaking. The message glowed on my monitor, framed by the wide glass walls…