The coronavirus pandemic generated hundreds of memes, social media posts and videos on the internet. None have gained as much popularity and spawned dozens of versions around the globe as the “coffin dance.”

In 2017, a BBC video report of a group of six dancing pallbearers in Ghana went viral, garnering millions of views worldwide.

Three years later, social media users paired the footage with a decade old track from Russian composer and artist Tony Igy called “Astronomia,” and the darkly-humorous “coronavirus coffin dance” was born.

The pallbearers even posted a video message after acquiring internet fame, thanking all first responders and doctors, while telling people to "stay at home or dance with us."

Awesome - the Ghana Coffin Dancers have a message thanking all first responders and doctors, but also telling regular people to "stay home or dance with us."

Brilliant. #coronavirus #ghanapallbearers #ghanasaysgoodbye #StayHome #staysafe pic.twitter.com/BZeyEmzniI

— Peter Shankman (@petershankman) May 5, 2020

Now, police officers around the world are imitating the “coffin dance” and posting videos as public service announcements.

In Tamil Nadu, a state in south India, police posted a video of their own version of the “coffin dance,” and asked people to stay at home.

#Cuddalore Police coffin dance awareness.

Our #TamilNadu police rock when it comes to new trends!

Amazing 👏👏👏#StayAtHome#StaySafe

@PoliceTamilnadu @DadaAwu#Corona #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/c8Yuv59V7j

— Apoorva Jayachandran (@Jay_Apoorva18) April 29, 2020

In Peru, police officers in a province north of the capital Lima, danced while carrying a coffin on their shoulders, to warn people of the dangers of COVID-19.

Peru Police Dance
And Carry Coffin
To Raise Awareness.
.
Polisi Di Peru, Amerika Selatan
Berkeliling Dengan Menggotong Peti Mati
Agar Warga Sadar
Bahayanya Covid-19 pic.twitter.com/wUYMNs5hmp

— Agus Susanto II (@Cobeh09) April 27, 2020

Cops in Colombia also resorted to the infamous “coffin dance” to encourage people to stay at home.

Colombian police are using the coffin dance to encourage people to stay at home. pic.twitter.com/w95l9Ikk1O

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 26, 2020

People shared videos of Spanish police patrolling the mostly-empty streets due to the coronavirus curfews, saying that the cars blasted the “coffin dance” song from their speakers instead of a siren.

Spain police using coffin dance music as siren 😂 pic.twitter.com/Gvqh7Ewlv7

— P a v a n (@PavannPSPK) April 27, 2020

An advertisement agency in Malaysia used the "coffin dance" meme to create a PSA titled "How to summon death." The short video is a funny mini-horror film, showing a man taking the right hygenic precautions to avoid coronavirus infection, such as using sanitizers and wearing face masks when leaving the house.