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

The moment of final farewell is perhaps the most delicate intersection of human emotion and biological reality. For centuries, across nearly every culture and creed, the act of kissing a deceased loved one or holding their hand for the final time has been regarded as a sacred rite of passage. It is the ultimate gesture of closure—a physical confirmation of a bond that transcends life itself. However, a recent viral warning from the medical community has sparked a global debate, forcing many to weigh the deep-seated needs of the grieving heart against the cold, pragmatic requirements of public health.

The conversation gained significant momentum when Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, a Moldovan physician with a substantial following on social media, posted a stark warning regarding the physical handling of the deceased. His message was clear: while the person has passed, the biological micro-environment of their body remains active, and in some cases, potentially hazardous. Dr. Ivanovik explained that if an individual succumbed to a virulent infection or a highly contagious disease, the pathogens responsible for their illness do not simply vanish at the moment of expiration. In the hours following death, these bacteria and viruses can persist on the skin and mucosal surfaces, posing a rare but scientifically documented risk to those who come into close physical contact.

The reaction to this medical caution was immediate and deeply divided. On one side are the proponents of scientific vigilance who argue that safety should never be compromised, even in the depths of sorrow. From their perspective, the medical community has an ethical obligation to inform the public about the “post-mortem microbiome.” When a body ceases its metabolic functions, the immune system—the primary defense against pathogens—is no longer active. This allows for the rapid proliferation of various microorganisms. If the cause of death involved sepsis, meningitis, or gastrointestinal infections, the concentration of harmful germs can be significant. To these advocates, the act of kissing the forehead or the hand of the deceased is an unnecessary gamble with one’s own health, potentially turning a funeral into a point of secondary contagion.