( Real News Antigua) The body of a Jamaican man was hurriedly buried after the country’s
two main funeral homes refused to store the body due to its
decomposed state and the fact that there was no next of kin.
It appears that the man passed away suddenly at his Potters home.
A corporal of police made the discovery and reported the death to
the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
The officer, who is attached to Police Headquarters, told his
colleagues that – at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31 – he found the
body of the 59-year-old man, on its back, on a bed in a southern
bedroom.
Reportedly, the district doctor arrived on the scene and pronounced
the body dead at 7:41 p.m. and Coroner Dexter Wason was notified.
Onika Campbell, the Jamaican consul, was informed, as well.
However, when contacted, both funeral homes declined to accept
the body since it was already in an advanced state of decomposition
and was unable to be stored.
It had to be removed by the Central Board of Health (CBH), with the
assistance of workers from Straffies Funeral Home, under the
supervision of Chief Health Inspector Sharon Martin.
A warrant to bury was issued by the coroner and the body was
taken to Valley Church Community Cemetery, where it was interred
on Wednesday, November 1.
Reports say the man had been suffering from an ailment and had
been admitted to the hospital about three weeks ago, after he called
an ambulance and complained of feeling unwell.
At the time, he received medical attention and was admitted to the
medical centre; but he was discharged a few days later and taken to
his home by a medic.
