Unclaimed bodies and stillbirths pile up in state mortuaries
Poor families forfeit burial rights
Oshakati Hospital has recorded the highest number of stillbirths – 124 – along with nine unclaimed adult bodies.
Behind cold mortuary doors, more than 30 unclaimed bodies and the remains of over 200 stillborn infants lie in state-run facilities across Namibia, awaiting dignified burials that, for many, may never come.
When burials do occur, they often result from last-minute coordination with police or private donors rather than structured public support.
For some, it has been months – if not years. As the number of stillbirths rises and impoverished families struggle to afford funeral costs, health officials warn that the system is buckling under pressure, worsened by silence and inaction from some local authorities.
According to health ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya, the Windhoek Central Hospital morgue currently houses eight unclaimed adult bodies and 45 stillbirths earmarked for pauper burials.
These are cases in which families have forfeited their burial rights due to financial constraints or other circumstances.
Swakopmund’s stillbirth count remains at 42 – unchanged since last year.
“If someone is unidentified for 14 days, it becomes unclaimed,” Kamaya told Namibian Sun. “Customer care is notified at the respective hospitals, and they then engage the media to trace relatives. If those efforts fail, the state begins planning for cremation or burial.”
A grave crisis
In the north, Oshakati Hospital in the Oshana Region has recorded the highest number of stillbirths – 124 – along with nine unclaimed adult bodies (six Namibians and three Angolans). Omusati Region has five unclaimed adult bodies, all Angolans, and 16 stillbirths (12 Namibians and four Angolans).
Omusati health director Alfons Amoomo confirmed that all pauper burial protocols have been followed and a request for approval has been submitted for the current financial quarter.
In Kavango West, three unclaimed adult bodies have remained in storage since last year. Health director Franciska Hamutenya explained that the length of time a body is kept depends on several factors: the case type, the success of family tracing, and mortuary capacity.
“For normal cases with known relatives, bodies are not kept beyond two weeks,” she said.
One unclaimed body and three stillbirths are currently being held at Rundu Intermediate Hospital in Kavango East.
Data from other regions was not available at the time of publication.
Grootfontein State Hospital recently carried out a mass pauper burial for 133 unclaimed bodies that had been stored since 2017.
The burial, which took place on 25 June, included unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons – some who have been lying in the morgue for as long as nine years.
In July 2023, the health ministry reported 392 stillbirths nationwide, most of them unclaimed: 151 in Khomas, 63 in Ohangwena, 45 in Omaheke and 42 each in Oshana and Erongo, among others.
‘Cannot afford’ to bury our babies
By law, mortuaries are responsible for preserving remains, not burying them. But the surge in unclaimed bodies and stillbirths has forced the institutions into unfamiliar territory.
“There’s a misunderstanding that we are refusing to bury babies, but our role does not extend to burial,” a source said. “People ask why certain bodies aren’t buried, but we cannot disclose everything. These decisions have emotional and legal implications.”
The official noted that many parents of stillborn babies are unemployed and have no support network.
“The challenge isn’t just the high number of stillbirths. The families are often known, but they simply cannot afford to bury their children. We safeguard the bodies until someone comes forward – but it’s expensive. We pay for coffins, undertakers, and we receive no dedicated funding.”
Some of the bodies have remained in storage since January.
“Stillbirths, we’ve stopped counting. Even our own data contradicts what’s happening on the ground,” the source added.
Call for help
The ministry of health is now appealing to NGOs, traditional leaders and local authorities for intervention.
“This is not just a medical issue. It’s becoming a social crisis. But what are local authorities doing?”
Under the Local Authorities Act of 1992, municipalities are mandated to manage cemeteries and ensure the proper disposal of human remains. But mortuary staff claim support from local governments is often inconsistent and opaque.
“People assume municipalities don’t help – but they do, quietly,” the source said. “If the public knew, they might start going directly to those offices for help. And the issue of burial land is a serious one. After Covid-19, it worsened.”
Humane approach
City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya rejected claims of municipal inaction.
“The city has not refused or failed to assist in any valid and formally submitted request for the burial or cremation of unclaimed deceased persons or stillbirths,” she said.
She clarified that services are rendered once proper documentation is received, and standard administrative checks – such as verifying the requester’s municipal account status – may apply.
“There is no land specifically reserved for unclaimed deceased persons or stillbirths. All cemetery land managed by the city is accessible to serve general burial needs.”
According to Amutenya, the most recent facilitation by the city occurred in January, when the Namibian Police requested the burial of 42 unclaimed bodies, including stillborn infants. The burials took place at Oponganda Cemetery.
“We’re aware of the rising number of unclaimed [bodies], especially among vulnerable groups. While our role is administrative, we are sensitive to the broader social and public health concerns involved," Amutenya said.
She underlined that the city remains open to stronger collaboration with stakeholders such as the health ministry, the police, and social services to ensure humane and timely handling of these sensitive cases. - [email protected]
When burials do occur, they often result from last-minute coordination with police or private donors rather than structured public support.
For some, it has been months – if not years. As the number of stillbirths rises and impoverished families struggle to afford funeral costs, health officials warn that the system is buckling under pressure, worsened by silence and inaction from some local authorities.
According to health ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya, the Windhoek Central Hospital morgue currently houses eight unclaimed adult bodies and 45 stillbirths earmarked for pauper burials.
These are cases in which families have forfeited their burial rights due to financial constraints or other circumstances.
Swakopmund’s stillbirth count remains at 42 – unchanged since last year.
“If someone is unidentified for 14 days, it becomes unclaimed,” Kamaya told Namibian Sun. “Customer care is notified at the respective hospitals, and they then engage the media to trace relatives. If those efforts fail, the state begins planning for cremation or burial.”
A grave crisis
In the north, Oshakati Hospital in the Oshana Region has recorded the highest number of stillbirths – 124 – along with nine unclaimed adult bodies (six Namibians and three Angolans). Omusati Region has five unclaimed adult bodies, all Angolans, and 16 stillbirths (12 Namibians and four Angolans).
Omusati health director Alfons Amoomo confirmed that all pauper burial protocols have been followed and a request for approval has been submitted for the current financial quarter.
In Kavango West, three unclaimed adult bodies have remained in storage since last year. Health director Franciska Hamutenya explained that the length of time a body is kept depends on several factors: the case type, the success of family tracing, and mortuary capacity.
“For normal cases with known relatives, bodies are not kept beyond two weeks,” she said.
One unclaimed body and three stillbirths are currently being held at Rundu Intermediate Hospital in Kavango East.
Data from other regions was not available at the time of publication.
Grootfontein State Hospital recently carried out a mass pauper burial for 133 unclaimed bodies that had been stored since 2017.
The burial, which took place on 25 June, included unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons – some who have been lying in the morgue for as long as nine years.
In July 2023, the health ministry reported 392 stillbirths nationwide, most of them unclaimed: 151 in Khomas, 63 in Ohangwena, 45 in Omaheke and 42 each in Oshana and Erongo, among others.
‘Cannot afford’ to bury our babies
By law, mortuaries are responsible for preserving remains, not burying them. But the surge in unclaimed bodies and stillbirths has forced the institutions into unfamiliar territory.
“There’s a misunderstanding that we are refusing to bury babies, but our role does not extend to burial,” a source said. “People ask why certain bodies aren’t buried, but we cannot disclose everything. These decisions have emotional and legal implications.”
The official noted that many parents of stillborn babies are unemployed and have no support network.
“The challenge isn’t just the high number of stillbirths. The families are often known, but they simply cannot afford to bury their children. We safeguard the bodies until someone comes forward – but it’s expensive. We pay for coffins, undertakers, and we receive no dedicated funding.”
Some of the bodies have remained in storage since January.
“Stillbirths, we’ve stopped counting. Even our own data contradicts what’s happening on the ground,” the source added.
Call for help
The ministry of health is now appealing to NGOs, traditional leaders and local authorities for intervention.
“This is not just a medical issue. It’s becoming a social crisis. But what are local authorities doing?”
Under the Local Authorities Act of 1992, municipalities are mandated to manage cemeteries and ensure the proper disposal of human remains. But mortuary staff claim support from local governments is often inconsistent and opaque.
“People assume municipalities don’t help – but they do, quietly,” the source said. “If the public knew, they might start going directly to those offices for help. And the issue of burial land is a serious one. After Covid-19, it worsened.”
Humane approach
City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya rejected claims of municipal inaction.
“The city has not refused or failed to assist in any valid and formally submitted request for the burial or cremation of unclaimed deceased persons or stillbirths,” she said.
She clarified that services are rendered once proper documentation is received, and standard administrative checks – such as verifying the requester’s municipal account status – may apply.
“There is no land specifically reserved for unclaimed deceased persons or stillbirths. All cemetery land managed by the city is accessible to serve general burial needs.”
According to Amutenya, the most recent facilitation by the city occurred in January, when the Namibian Police requested the burial of 42 unclaimed bodies, including stillborn infants. The burials took place at Oponganda Cemetery.
“We’re aware of the rising number of unclaimed [bodies], especially among vulnerable groups. While our role is administrative, we are sensitive to the broader social and public health concerns involved," Amutenya said.
She underlined that the city remains open to stronger collaboration with stakeholders such as the health ministry, the police, and social services to ensure humane and timely handling of these sensitive cases. - [email protected]
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