Process to bury unclaimed bodies will be ‘seamless,’ says NLHS

The Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) is making progress on their plan to bury dozens of unclaimed bodies that have been stored in freezers at a hospital in St. John’s. Four months after legislation was enacted to expedite the burial process, NLHS is now moving forward with the initiative.

According to Ron Johnson, the chief operating officer of the NLHS eastern-urban zone, the delay in burying the bodies was due to the need to establish new regulations and processes. However, a tender has been issued to partner with a funeral home for the burials, with the expectation that the contract will be awarded by June 13.

The amended legislation allows NLHS to bury unclaimed bodies after two weeks of searching for next of kin and five days after the individual is posted on a dedicated website. Johnson emphasized the importance of conducting a proper burial with dignity and respect.

The launch of a website to help connect families with their deceased loved ones is imminent, as mandated by the legislation. The site will be publicly accessible and will contain names and additional information to facilitate the identification of the unclaimed bodies.

In the past, NLHS had stored bodies in freezer units on hospital property due to space constraints in the morgue. However, the freezers were relocated to the hospital’s underground parking garage, and measures were taken to ensure proper storage.

Despite the current 26 bodies in long-term storage, Johnson is confident that there won’t be a backlog in the future. With the new regulations, processes, and facilities in place, NLHS aims to handle the burials more efficiently.

As NLHS progresses with their plan to bury unclaimed bodies, they are committed to upholding the dignity and respect of the deceased individuals. The launch of the website and partnership with a funeral home reflect their dedication to addressing this sensitive issue.