N.L. hasn’t buried a single unclaimed body since legislation change in January
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador recently made a significant legislative change aimed at addressing the issue of unclaimed bodies being stored in freezer units at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. However, despite the new legislation being in place for four months now, not a single person has been buried as a result.
The updated legislation grants Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) the authority to bury unclaimed remains after a two-week search for next of kin and five days after the individual’s identity is posted on a dedicated website. Unfortunately, as of now, the website has yet to be launched.
According to NLHS spokesperson Mikaela Etchegary, there are currently 27 bodies in long-term storage facilities awaiting burial. She stated that the health authority is still in the process of finalizing the operationalization of the legislation and the corresponding website.
Last year, CBC News reported that the health authority was storing 28 bodies in freezer units due to a lack of space in the morgue. Subsequently, the freezers were relocated to the hospital’s underground parking garage and enclosed by a wall for privacy.
Despite the procedure in place for dealing with unclaimed bodies, Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell acknowledged that the website is not yet operational. She emphasized the importance of handling unclaimed remains with dignity and stated that further discussions with NLHS would be necessary to ensure compliance with the legislation.
Progressive Conservative MHA and health critic Barry Petten expressed concern over the continued storage of bodies, calling it unsatisfactory and reflective of the province’s failure to act decisively. He emphasized the importance of providing a dignified burial for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
As the government works to address this issue, it is essential to prioritize the respectful handling of unclaimed remains and expedite the implementation of the legislation to ensure timely burials for those in long-term storage.
