The management of Belk Sympathy Mortuary in Betem 3, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has announced plans to conduct a mass burial of unclaimed bodies on 30 November 2026, urging families with relatives deposited at the facility to retrieve their loved ones before the deadline.
The announcement was contained in a press statement issued by the mortuary’s management, which said the decision became necessary following the expiration of its retention policy for corpses that have remained unclaimed for several years.
According to the management, the planned exercise is intended to address increasing operational demands, create additional storage space and ensure that the facility continues to deliver efficient services in line with modern professional standards.
Speaking on behalf of the management, Mrs Regina Damkwa Kinako expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones and appealed to those with relatives in the mortuary to immediately come forward to identify and claim the remains.
She explained that the notice primarily affects bodies deposited at the facility between 2010 and 2024, many of which have remained in storage well beyond the mortuary’s approved retention period.
Mrs Kinako noted that the prolonged storage of unclaimed bodies has placed considerable pressure on the facility’s operations, making it necessary for management to take decisive steps to free up space and improve service delivery.
“Our hearts go out to all families who may be affected by this decision,” she said.
She added that while the management deeply sympathises with bereaved families, it was important for them to treat the notification with the urgency it deserves.
The management described the announcement as both a public appeal and a legal notice, warning that families who fail to claim the remains of their loved ones before the stipulated deadline would bear responsibility for any consequences arising from the scheduled mass burial.
Belk Sympathy Mortuary stated that the decision was reached after careful consideration and in accordance with its operational policies governing the retention of unclaimed bodies.
The management also expressed appreciation to families who have responded positively to previous notifications and appealed to members of the public to assist in disseminating the information to affected families.
It said the objective is to ensure that no family unknowingly loses the opportunity to reclaim the remains of a loved one before the 30 November 2026 deadline.
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