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Belk Sympathy Mortuary located in Betem 3, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has disclosed plans to conduct a mass burial on November 30, 2026, for corpses that have remained unclaimed in its facility for over 15 years.
Management of the facility said the exercise affects bodies deposited between 2010 and 2024 that have exceeded the mortuary’s stipulated storage duration, and urged families to come forward to claim their loved ones before the deadline.
Mrs. Regina Damkwa Kinako, in a statement issued on behalf of the facility, said the decision became necessary due to operational demands and the need to align with global best practices in mortuary management.
According to her, the notice is directed at families and relatives who currently have loved ones in storage at the facility.
“This serves as a notification which requires quick, urgent and immediate attention for those who are currently using the organization’s facility for storage of their dead loved ones.
”Owners should endeavour to come forward to claim or process the release of their bodies on or before the above-mentioned date,” Kinako stated.
She explained that the mass burial is part of efforts to address capacity and facility management challenges, while ensuring the mortuary meets current professional standards.
”Currently, the position of the facility is calling for an immediate attention and in other to keep it demand meeting up with customers expectation, we are head bent in ensuring the business compete with the current trend operations world over, ” she added.
Kinako extended the management’s condolences to all affected families, describing the situation as unfortunate but unavoidable.
She said the notification also serves as a legal notice, and that the mortuary would not be held responsible for any development affecting unclaimed bodies after the deadline.
She added that many bodies deposited have exceeded the Mortuary policy storage duration hence this Immediate call for urgent attention.
“We are extending our deepest condolences to all those this might affect. However, it is important that this notification is given due attention before it is too late,” she said.
The management thanked clients who have responded promptly to previous notices and appealed to the public to treat the directive with the seriousness it deserves to avoid complications.
