The remains of 27 unclaimed cadavers that have been stored at the morgue for more than a year were buried in a mass grave at the City-owned cemetery in Barangay Talabaan, Friday, November 25.
The mass burial followed the solemn burial rites presided by religious leaders and attended by City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) staff led by Ma. Socoorro Rojas, personnel from the City Health Office and other stakeholders.
Rojas said most of the unclaimed cadavers were psychotic vagrants who were rescued in city streets. Two (2) of the cadavers were senior citizens.
No relative or friends have claimed their remains since they were turned over to the city-contracted morgue, according to Rojas.
The City Government, through the CSWDO conducts mass burial for unclaimed cadavers every year, based on a city Ordinance. The city shoulders the expenses for embalming, storage and coffins.
Regardless of their religious affiliation and circumstances of death, the cadavers deserve decent burial, according to Rojas. (Sheila Covarrubias, photo courtesy of CSWDO)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)