Greek funeral director 'terrified' by pandemic

The health risks posed by the new virus that's caused a global pandemic are present even after death.

Second-generation funeral director Υiannis Gousbounaris always had protective uniforms, gloves, reinforced masks and goggles in his office for emergencies, but he rarely used them.

Since the new coronavirus surfaced, his protective kit has become a necessity.

For more than 20 years, Gousbounaris, 45, owner of a funeral home in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, has been exposed to bodies in unsanitary conditions.

He often responds to calls from city authorities to transport homeless people who have died.

Sometimes he's called to take bodies that are decomposing, sometimes with infectious diseases.

He said he was never afraid in the past, but the new coronavirus terrifies him.

From the age of 15, Gousbounaris helped his father who also had a funeral home.

He thinks of his family as he takes unprecedented precautions, treating every dead body he transports to the morgue as if it is infected with the new coronavirus.

Recently while taking the body of a man who had been deceased for days, Gousbounaris disinfected the entrance of the apartment building, the body he and his workers were carrying, the stretcher, the transport vehicle, and even the workers themselves who wear protective clothing.

His usual surgical masks have been replaced by gas masks. Plastic covers his feet and white hazmat suit.

And, of course, there are gloves.

Gousbounaris says that even though he survived Greece's economic crisis as a businessman, this is worse.

He explains that during the financial crisis prices may have dropped but there was business.

Now, because of fears over the new coronavirus, there is no proper funeral with the presence of relatives, no flowers and no coffee that traditionally follows a burial.

Memorial services have also stopped. All this means a loss of income.

Greece has been on lockdown since March 23, allowing people to leave their homes only for very specific reasons, including going to work, visiting a doctor or bank, and attending the funeral of a direct relative.

Social distancing is encouraged.

Late Friday, Greek health authorities said the confirmed positive cases of the new coronavirus in the country have climbed to a total of 1,613. Six new deaths were recorded, reaching a total of 59.