Operation bans funeral homes for environmental crimes and public health risks in Belém
Specialized Division in Environment issued 8 infraction notices and seized documents and materials as evidence for the ongoing police investigation
By Bruna Ribeiro (PC)
03/07/2025 08h05
Teams from the Specialized Division in Environment and Animal Protection (DEMAPA) launched, on Wednesday (2), Operation "Body Wash", which resulted in the banning of seven funeral homes and the issuance of infraction notices for environmental crimes.
The action, carried out in funeral homes in the Mangueirão neighborhood, was conducted jointly by the Civil Police, through DEMAPA, the State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (Semas), the Municipal Secretariat for Environment of Belém (Semma), and the Environmental Public Prosecutor's Office.
During the operation, eight funeral homes were inspected. Of these, seven were banned due to the absence of licenses and illegal practices, such as preparing corpses in unsuitable environments, without the minimum sanitary conditions, and the improper disposal of blood, bodily fluids, and chemicals directly onto public roads.
According to the director of DEMAPA, delegate Edson Azevedo, the conduct of the funeral homes represents a serious threat to public health and the environment.
“We are facing an alarming situation of pollution and health risk. Fluids from corpses, blood, and chemical substances were being dumped in the streets, exposing the population to diseases and contaminating the urban environment. This practice is criminal and absolutely incompatible with the dignity of funeral services,” he emphasized.
The team also issued eight environmental infraction notices and seized documents and materials that will serve as evidence for the ongoing police investigation.
According to the investigations, the establishments had been operating clandestinely for months. The waste resulting from the embalming of bodies, including formaldehyde, blood, and other biological waste, was disposed of without any treatment, contaminating drains, sidewalks, and even residential areas near the establishments.
The material collected during the action was sent for forensic examination and will be used to strengthen the police investigation, which investigates crimes provided for in articles 54 (intentional pollution) and 60 (exercise of activity without a license) of Law No. 9,605/98 (Environmental Crimes Law), in addition to article 132 of the Penal Code, which deals with exposing the life or health of others to direct and imminent danger.
In addition to the bans, those responsible for the sanctioned funeral homes faced administrative sanctions and will be summoned to testify. They may be held accountable for crimes of an environmental, sanitary, and penal nature, with penalties ranging from one to five years of imprisonment, in addition to fines.
“The operation required a joint and meticulous effort to identify and prevent these illegal actions. Our focus is to ensure that environmental and sanitary regulations are followed, protecting the health of the population and preserving the environment. We will continue to act rigorously against any irregularities,” explains the delegate of DEMAPA responsible for the action, Fábio Coutinho.
Inspection actions will continue in the coming days, focusing on the regularization of the funeral sector and the prevention of new environmental crimes in the capital, Belém, and other municipalities in Pará.
