Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
Flooding, triggered by Hurricane Dennis, unearthed and swept these graves into a nearby river in Bull Bay, St. Andrew last week. These were among several graves at the back of the Bull Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church which were washed into the river last Thursday. - PHOTO BY FRANCINE BLACK
THE BULL Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 11 miles, Bull Bay, St. Andrew, is to remove the remains of 15 persons from its cemetery to prevent more coffins and bodies from being washed into a nearby river.
This follows last week's incident where flood waters, triggered by Hurricane Dennis, rushed through the churchyard, destroying headstones and carting off several coffins and graves with it. Reports indicate that one body was later fished from the nearby river by Madden's Funeral Home.
Pastor Shaun Brooks, who got permission to exhume the bodies from the Kingston and St. Andrew Public Health Department yesterday, said he hoped to start removals by this weekend.
"Based on the direction of the river, I am sure that more will be exposed," said Pastor Brooks. The bodies will be reburied or cremated based on the wishes of surviving relatives, he said. He has already started contacting relatives of the deceased, he added.
Up to yesterday, at least five coffins, some more than 20 years old, were still in the river, Pastor Brooks said. Public health authorities said there is no public health risk because these persons died years ago and are mostly skeletons.
"I saw yesterday (Monday), a stocking with bones in it. We also want to move them out of respect for the dead and for family members," said Pastor Brooks, who had also approached Madden's Funeral Home with the request.
Ferdinand Madden, owner of the funeral home, said he could only remove the bodies if requests came from authorities such as the police or the public health department.
NO OBJECTIONS
When contacted, Chief Public Health Inspector, Charles Lewis said the department was working with the church and has "no objections" to having the bodies removed.
"We have given them permission to go ahead. We will prepare a letter for them to take to Maddens (Funeral Home) tomorrow (today)," Mr. Lewis said.
Persons who buried relatives in the cemetery at the Bull Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church are being asked to contact Pastor Brooks via the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Churches at 924-1063.
