Doctors Warn Kissing Corpses at Funerals Poses Serious Health Risks

Doctor’s Warning Against Kissing the Deceased Sparks Debate – Experts Push Back

A viral TikTok video by Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan physician with 1.2 million followers, has ignited controversy after he urged mourners to avoid kissing deceased loved ones in open-casket funerals. He claimed that harmful bacteria begin growing on corpses just nine hours after death, posing health risks like loss of smell and respiratory issues.

[Image: Dr. Viktor Ivanovik speaking in his TikTok video, captioned: “Never kiss a dead person!”]

Dr. Ivanovik specifically warned against physical contact in warm environments, advising kisses only in air-conditioned morgues. His video drew sharp backlash, with critics calling the claims exaggerated and insensitive. Mourners on social media argued that the emotional need to say a final goodbye outweighs hypothetical risks.

Experts Dismiss Claims
Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York-based internist, called the warning unscientific. “The human body’s immune defenses would easily overpower any bacteria from a corpse,” he told DailyMail.com. “It’s like having 100,000 Secret Service agents guarding you.” He emphasized there’s no documented evidence of disease outbreaks or hospitalizations linked to funeral practices.

The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed this stance, stating that corpses generally don’t transmit epidemics. Exceptions include deaths from cholera or hemorrhagic fevers, but routine funerals pose minimal risk.

[Image: A funeral setting with flowers and a casket, highlighting modern embalming practices.]

Modern Preservation Practices Mitigate Risks
Dr. Fischer noted that funeral homes use embalming and refrigeration to slow decomposition. These methods reduce bacterial growth, making Ivanovik’s nine-hour timeline irrelevant in most cases. “Funeral directors account for hygiene concerns,” he added.

Public Reacts: “Worth the Risk”
Despite the debate, many social media users rejected Ivanovik’s advice. One wrote, “I kissed my father, and I’d do it again. He’s my father!” Another shared, “Resisting that final kiss is impossible when grieving a parent.” Critics argued the warning overlooks cultural and emotional needs during mourning.

[Image: Close-up of hands holding a rosary near a casket, symbolizing grief and tradition.]

Credentials Questioned
Ivanovik’s medical background remains unverified by U.S. and European media outlets. While his TikTok audience is large, experts like Dr. Fischer urge caution: “If this were a real threat, we’d have seen cases in decades of medical practice.”

Though Ivanovik’s video spread anxiety, health experts reassure families that honoring traditions is safe. As Dr. Fischer concluded, “If a kiss brings comfort, there’s no medical reason to avoid it.”

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