The coffins are sealed directly at the hospital morgue near the tiny Italian town of Revello on the French border.

Everyone in Revello understands it is safer that way since so many of those who have died across Italy's pandemic-hit north first contracted the novel coronavirus.

Giampiero Palmero, owner of a funeral home in Revello, laments having to seal coffins quickly before family can bid farewell to loved ones, as the coronavirus alters funeral traditions in Italy
Giampiero Palmero, owner of a funeral home in Revello, laments having to seal coffins quickly before family can bid farewell to loved ones, as the coronavirus alters funeral traditions in Italy AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

The tradition of families passing by open caskets to say silent farewells to the deceased at churches or at funeral parlours has been abandoned.

"It is much more difficult, emotionally," Revello's funeral parlour owner Gianpiero Palmero told AFP.

Palmero funeral home employees put the coffin of a COVID-19 victim into a hearse at the morgue of Saluzzo hospital in northwestern Italy ahead of a funeral with very limited family contact.
Palmero funeral home employees put the coffin of a COVID-19 victim into a hearse at the morgue of Saluzzo hospital in northwestern Italy ahead of a funeral with very limited family contact. AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

Large funerals have been banned in Italy for more than a month because of the new illness that has officially killed more than 26,000 people in the Mediterranean country since February.

The real toll is unknown since many of those who pass away in old age are never tested for the virus.

Giampiero Palmero, (2nd L) owner of a funeral home in Revello, supervises his employees as they prepare the coffin of a COVID-19 victim before a funeral service in northern Italy with very limited family contact
Giampiero Palmero, (2nd L) owner of a funeral home in Revello, supervises his employees as they prepare the coffin of a COVID-19 victim before a funeral service in northern Italy with very limited family contact AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

The rushed funeral arrangements mean grieving families have almost no time to say their final goodbyes.

Palmero takes it personally.

"We really are living in abnormal times," Palmero says. "There is more demand for our services."

A worker at Palmero funeral home watches a colleague in protective gear as he moves a coffin containing a coronavirus victim at the morgue in Saluzzo hospital in northwestern Italy
A worker at Palmero funeral home watches a colleague in protective gear as he moves a coffin containing a coronavirus victim at the morgue in Saluzzo hospital in northwestern Italy AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

Italy is cautiously approaching the moment when it is ready to lift some of its harshest restrictions on everyday life.

People might be allowed to walk the streets freely starting on May 4.

Mores stores and churches will probably reopen.

And weddings and funerals might soon again involve more than just the pastor and immediate family members.

But Italy is not there yet -- and Palmero still collects his bodies at the hospital in nearby Saluzzo.

"The bodies are already wrapped in a shroud," he explains. "We put the body in the coffin and seal it immediately."

Social distancing measures are even observed at the crematorium. Only one person is allowed inside at a time.

Not catching or spreading the virus is the overriding consideration in Palmero's business.

"There are no more real funerals," he laments.

Coronavirus