Objective.

To describe the characteristics of cemeteries and the hygienic treatment of corpses during pandemics throughout history.

Materials and method.

It is a historical study that starts from Heuristics and it is combined with Criticism to evaluate the sources used and respond to the objective. The universe of work was done with documents from the Guadalajara Municipal Historical Archive on the pantheons of this city and the bibliographic review in libraries and electronic media related to the subject.

Results

The burials were in charge of the church at first, for medical-sanitary reasons, they moved to the cities’ borders in the 19th century, and during the 20th century others were built, some remained within the urban area.1785-1786 The bodies were left naked and piled up at the churches doors. They were asked to leave them at specific points due to their risk to public health. The bodies were transported in closed wooden boxes to avoid further contagion. Currently, during the pandemic in Mexico, each state has adopted strategies for contagion control. Jalisco's government has formed the Inter- institutional Commission for the Management of Dead Bodies by COVID-19, and the application of biosafety regulations both in and outside hospitals.

Conclusions.

The evolution of the pantheons of Guadalajara has depended on social and health issues, linked to economic, political and religious interests. Despite the established norms, the pantheons have remained within the urban area due to population growth, their geographical location represents a critical situation, hence the importance of sanitary control and biosafety standards in the management of corpses.

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