During the pandemic, the government did almost everything to lessen the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Not only in the economy but also the front liner that handling the virus. Besides medical workers, there are also several 'heroes' that deserve attention which is the gravedigger for people who died of COVID-19.

Their job is to prepare a grave for the COVID-19 victims with strict protocol, in a day, they are expected to dig tens of graves depend on that day casualties.

Junaedi, a gravedigger of persons who died of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Pondok Ranggon cemetery complex, said, we prepare at least 20 graves in a day, but there is a day when we need to prepare around 40 graves and it breaks record in grave digging.

We do feel afraid that we may get infected and infect the virus in our families

His biggest fear is not the bodies that are infected by the virus, since a body already prepared with strict COVID-19 protocol to be buried, but the families that send off their loved one to the final rest that sometimes not follow the protocol.

Andy, the head of gravediggers group B fears the same thing, therefore to protect themselves, not only wear the hazmat suits during the funeral procession, but they are also equipped with a sanitizer, gloves, and sterile plastic. When arrived home, before meeting the families they will take a bath and soak all their equipment in disinfectant.

The government also gives special care as they have to face high-risk work every day by preparing an incentive fund of IDR 1 million per person per month.

Besides the incentive, they wish the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will end soon, and to the families who send off their relatives sometimes without strict protocol, they wish them not to get angry to the gravedigger, as they said 'if we die, who is going to burry your families'.

Photos and text: Muhammad Adimaja

Editor: Prasetyo Utomo