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.