TEN (10) unclaimed bodies that had remained in the morgue at Mt Hagen Provincial Specialist Hospital for more than five years were finally laid to rest last Thursday in a dignified mass burial at the Mt Hagen Tee Public Cemetery.
The bodies, which had been kept at the hospital morgue between 2020 and 2026, were buried following years without any relatives or family members coming forward to claim them.
According to Morgue Attendant Mr Matthew Nanoa, the prolonged stay of the bodies in the morgue presented ongoing challenges for the hospital.
“These bodies were kept in the morgue for a very long time without any family members coming to claim them. Over time, some had started to deteriorate, leaving us with no option but to organise a proper burial,” he said.
Mr Matthew thanked a local youth group, known as the Graveyard Youths, for stepping forward to assist with the burial arrangements.
The youths helped the hospital team transport the bodies from the morgue to the cemetery and dug separate graves to ensure each individual was laid to rest with dignity.
“On behalf of the hospital management and staff, we are grateful to the youths who willingly assisted us in carrying out the burial. Their support made it possible for these individuals to finally receive a proper resting place,” said Mr Nanoa.
Members of the Graveyard Youths said the group had taken on the responsibility of caring for and managing parts of the public cemetery after noticing the site had received little attention over the years. They have since registered their organisation through the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) to strengthen their efforts and assist with cemetery management and burial services.
The youths described the burial exercise as an important step towards restoring dignity to those who had passed away without family support.
They also welcomed the collaboration with the hospital, saying it was the first time they had worked closely together on such an initiative.
“In the past, we often worked on our own. We want to continue working hand in hand with the hospital so that when unclaimed bodies accumulate in the morgue, arrangements can be made early and suitable burial sites identified,” a representative of the group said.
The youths explained that each body was buried in a separate grave rather than together in a single pit, believing that every individual deserves respect and a dignified burial.
“We wanted each person to have their own resting place. It is about showing respect to the dead and ensuring they are remembered as human beings who once had families and stories of their own,” the representative said.
The Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority also extends its appreciation to Kenmix Funeral Home for donating the 10 coffin boxes to support the burial exercise. This generous contribution helped provide a dignified and respectful farewell for the 10 individuals.
The burial highlighted the importance of community and institutional partnerships in addressing challenges associated with unclaimed bodies while ensuring that even those forgotten by family and relatives are afforded a respectful and humane farewell.
