Nondescript freezer containers, currently holding around 28 bodies, are situated in a back alley in St. John’s, between the Janeway children’s hospital and Memorial University’s school of medicine. A large green dumpster marks the perimeter of these freezer units, which go unnoticed by many in the bustling parking lot nearby.
These containers serve as overflow storage for the morgue at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, as the cost of cremation and funeral services becomes increasingly unaffordable for some families. With Newfoundland and Labrador facing a growing population of older individuals and stagnant government assistance rates for funeral expenses, bodies are piling up in these freezer units.
Despite efforts to address the issue, including plans for a permanent storage unit at the Health Sciences Centre, the process of handling unclaimed bodies remains challenging. Current laws do not fully cover the disposal of bodies from natural causes, leaving some in limbo until arrangements can be made.
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development offers some financial assistance for cremation and burial costs, but the process can be bureaucratic and time-consuming. However, with the construction of a permanent storage unit on the horizon, there is hope for a more streamlined and effective solution to this pressing issue.
As Newfoundland and Labrador grapples with the complexities of handling unclaimed bodies, the community and government agencies are working towards a more efficient and compassionate system to ensure that all individuals receive proper end-of-life care.