The loss of a loved one often brings an instinctive urge to touch them one last time, seeking comfort and closure through physical connection. While this response is deeply human, medical experts warn that touching a deceased body with bare hands can pose health risks. After death, the body’s natural defenses stop, allowing bacteria and other microorganisms to multiply and potentially spread through contact, even when no danger is visible.
These risks are higher if the person had an infectious illness, and they aren’t fully eliminated by embalming or intact skin. For this reason, professionals always use protective equipment. Families can still say goodbye safely by touching over clothing, using gloves, or choosing non-physical gestures like words, prayers, or quiet presence—ways that honor both emotional needs and personal health.
