Saying goodbye to a loved one after death is one of life’s most profound and emotional experiences. Across cultures and religions, final gestures of affection—such as touching a deceased hand, kissing a forehead, or holding someone close one last time—carry deep symbolic meaning. For many, these moments provide a sense of closure when words are no longer enough. However, medical professionals and public health experts now caution that while these gestures are emotionally powerful, they can also carry health risks that grieving families may not fully realize.
