23 unclaimed bodies given last rites as backlog cleared during the Holy Week
MARGAO
A timely SOS issued by Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine at the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), not only helped avert a potential mortuary crisis during the Holy Week but also ensured long-awaited, dignified last rites for 23 unclaimed individuals—mostly destitute—whose bodies had remained undisposed of at the hospital mortuary for nearly two months.
With burial services traditionally suspended from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, hospitals across South Goa typically see a surge in requests for temporary preservation of bodies. This year was no exception, with around six bodies from different parts of the district brought to SGDH for preservation ahead of funerals scheduled on Monday. Sources at the hospital mortuary indicated that more bodies were expected over the weekend.
At the beginning of the week, however, the SGDH mortuary—equipped to accommodate up to 72 bodies—was nearing saturation. The situation was further aggravated by a prolonged deadlock between the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and the South Goa Collector’s office over pending dues of approximately Rs 15 lakh. The dispute had led the MMC to halt the disposal of unclaimed bodies, leaving dozens lying in the mortuary for over two months and pushing the facility to the brink of capacity.
According to hospital sources, the backlog had reached 37 bodies awaiting final rites by March 30, prompting Dr Ghodkirekar to issue an urgent appeal to the MMC and relevant authorities. His communication highlighted the risk of the mortuary being overwhelmed during Holy Week, when preservation demand peaks.
The SOS, which also received support from civil society, appears to have broken the impasse. Acting swiftly, the MMC resumed disposal operations, conducting final rites for 23 unclaimed bodies over two days—10 on March 31 and 13 on April 3. Most of the deceased were believed to be destitute individuals, including beggars, who had long awaited dignified cremation.
This intervention created the necessary space to accommodate new bodies during the critical period. Sources indicate that additional bodies may be brought in for preservation on Saturday and Sunday.
Officials confirmed that the MMC is responsible for conducting final rites for bodies linked to police jurisdictions in Margao, Fatorda, the Konkan Railway, and SGDH. The council is also scheduled to dispose of three more bodies currently held at the Goa Medical College (GMC) mortuary.
What ultimately helped resolve the crisis was a straightforward but urgent communication from the medical authorities, underscoring the importance of timely coordination between institutions. The episode has also highlighted systemic gaps in handling unclaimed bodies and the need for clearer protocols to prevent such situations in the future.
For now, the swift response has ensured that both the living and the deceased are treated with dignity during the Holy Week period.
