The funeral of a Christian priest who died due to COVID-19 in Thiruvananthapuram was carried out on Thursday. The burial was conducted as per protocol for COVID-19 deaths. The funeral comes a day residents protested the burial citing legal issues over the cemetery. Officials were forced to postpone the funeral on Wednesday as tension prevailed at Malamukal near Vattiyoorkav. The 77-year-old priest, a native of Nalanchira in Thiruvananthapuram died on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at the Medical College Hospital after he got injured in an accident. He was also suffering from pneumonia. His swab had been sent for testing and the result returned positive on Tuesday evening. On Thursday, the City Corporation team led by Health Standing Committee Chairman IP Binu received the priest’s body from the Medical College Hospital at around 2.30 pm. The funeral was held at the Orthodox Church cemetery at Kumarapuram near Malamukal.