In Vietnam, how long am I allowed to embalm my grandma's corpse? In Vietnam, what regulations do I need to follow when transporting my grandma's corpse?

In Vietnam, how long am I allowed to embalm my grandma's corpse?

Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 3 of the Circular 21/2021/TT-BYT stipulating the following definition:

4. “embalming” refers to preservation of a corpse prior to burial or cremation.

Pursuant to Article 4 of the same Circular stipulating sanitation in embalming in Vietnam as follows:

1. Embalming shall last no longer than 48 hours since the time of death without refrigeration.

2. Embalming shall last no longer than 7 days since the time of death in 4oC or lower.

3. In case embalming must last longer than the time limits set forth under Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, temperature must be maintained at -10oC or lower.

4. In case many people die because of natural disasters or emergencies, embalming duration shall be decided by individuals in charge of remediation affairs.

As regulations above, the time limit for embalming your grandma's corpse depends on preservation conditions. You shall embalm your grandma's corpse 48 hours since the time of death without refrigeration. On the other hand, embalming shall last more than 7 days since the time of death in -10oC or lower.

In Vietnam, what regulations do I need to follow when transporting my grandma's corpse?

Pursuant to Article 6 of the Circular 21/2021/TT-BYT stipulating transportation of corpses in Vietnam as follows:

1. Sanitation in corpse transportation:

a) When transport corpses within Vietnamese territory: during transportation via road, the corpses must be wrapped in watertight materials and carried by separate vehicles. During transportation via airway, waterway, or railway, the corpses must be placed in separate and closed coffins;

b) When transport corpses across borders: the corpses must be placed in 3-layer coffins: the inner layer is made of zinc or other materials that can withstand load, prevent leak, is lined with desiccant and welded tight; the middle layer is made of wood; the outer layer is made of plywood;

c) In case of heavy casualties caused by natural disasters or emergencies, the use of transport vehicles shall be decided by heads of organizations in charge of remediation affairs as long as the corpses are tightly wrapped to prevent leakage, seepage, and damage during transportation.

2. Sanitation in transportation of skeletal remains and cremains: skeletal remains and cremains must be placed in containers that can prevent leakage, seepage, crack, and damage during transportation.

As regulations above, when transporting your grandma's corpse to cremation place, you shall wrap the corpse in watertight materials and carry it with a separate vehicle.

Best regards!