No one anticipates that a farewell ritual could carry unseen consequences.
The practice of leaning close—sometimes too close—to whisper or kiss goodbye has existed for generations, sacred in its familiarity. Yet familiarity can blind us, hiding questions we never thought to ask. That’s precisely what happened when a doctor dared to speak up.
A Moldovan physician, Dr. Viktor Ivanovik, ignited national—and then global—conversation after issuing a warning that challenged a time-honored custom: kissing a loved one after death. His message, delivered via TikTok to nearly 300,000 followers, was simple and stark:
“Never kiss a body after death.”
Dr. Ivanovik explained that roughly nine hours after passing, a body begins breaking down, releasing bacteria that could pose a risk to anyone in close contact. Mouth-to-skin contact, like a farewell kiss, could expose a person to these bacteria, potentially even causing sensory issues such as partial or total loss of smell.
The video sparked a wave of reactions. Some viewers expressed shock or disbelief; others shared deeply personal accounts of intimate goodbyes, emphasizing the emotional weight of these final gestures.
One heartfelt comment read: “I kissed my father, and I’d do it again a thousand times. Losing smell or taste is nothing compared to him. He was my dad.”
@viktor.ivanovik ♬ son original – 𝘿𝙅 𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝙐𝙉𝙄𝙎𝙄𝘼
The doctor’s warning highlighted a complex tension between cultural tradition and medical reality. Across societies, physical gestures toward the deceased—kisses, hugs, or whispered farewells—are seen as acts of honor, closure, or spiritual connection. Rarely do families pause to consider the unseen consequences of these loving rituals.
Yet Dr. Ivanovik’s goal wasn’t to shame or dictate behavior. Instead, he prompted a broader conversation: how can we honor grief and tradition while remaining mindful of safety? Many commenters echoed this, framing the discussion with empathy and nuance.
Even if families continue to embrace their rituals, the video underscored the value of awareness. It reminded viewers that knowledge doesn’t diminish love; it simply allows choices to be made consciously, without surprise or unintended risk.
Through one brief TikTok, Dr. Ivanovik bridged worlds often considered separate: ritual, emotion, and biological fact. His message wasn’t a rejection of tradition—it was a lens through which to view it with both care and understanding.
✅ Conclusion
This debate isn’t about science versus love, or caution versus emotion. It’s about context. Grief renders moments irreversible, but awareness allows them to be intentional. Dr. Ivanovik didn’t erase tradition; he gave it perspective. And perhaps that is the takeaway: when we understand the risks, we can hold our choices firmly, even in the most fragile and sorrowful of times.