QC mayor warns funeral homes vs. overcharging, refusal of COVID-19 remains

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has warned funeral parlors and crematoriums against rejecting the remains of COVID-19 fatalities or charging exorbitant fees, citing a newly approved ordinance.

The ordinance, certified as urgent by the executive department, establishes protocols for managing the dead during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Violators of this ordinance face a P5,000 fine per violation and potential jail time of up to six months.

Funeral homes and crematoriums are prohibited from refusing COVID-19 deceased due to fear or other unjustified reasons.

The ordinance also prevents service fee increases compared to pre-community quarantine prices to protect grieving families.

Hospitals and health facilities are mandated to adhere to the cremation of COVID-19 patients within 12 hours of death to prevent virus spread.

The Quezon City government will cover cremation costs for indigent residents.

The local government may take custody of abandoned remains and arrange for their cremation if families fail to do so within the specified 12-hour period.