Kadavu families forced to bury loved ones same day as morgue stays closed

Heartbreak in Kadavu as families forced to bury loved ones the same day they die

By SOSIVETA KOROBIAU
SUVA

Grieving families in Kadavu are being forced to bury their loved ones on the same day they die — a heartbreaking reality caused by the year-long closure of the Vunisea mortuary.

The closure has left residents unable to perform traditional funeral rites or wait for relatives traveling from other islands and overseas.

District Officer for Kavala, Iferemi Boserau, said the mortuary’s operations had been crippled by an unreliable power supply, leaving families with no choice but to rush burials before bodies begin to decompose.

“It’s heartbreaking. Families can’t even mourn properly,” Mr Boserau said.

“Because there’s no functioning morgue, people have no choice but to bury their loved ones on the same day of their passing.”

He said the situation had deeply disrupted Kadavu’s cultural and traditional practices.
“In Kadavu, when someone passes away, we inform the nurse to witness the death and then the burial must happen immediately,” he said. “It’s not how our people want to say goodbye.”

Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa acknowledged the emotional toll and assured families that the government was working to restore power to the facility.

“We know how painful this is for our people. Some families want to keep their loved ones for a day or two so relatives can come, but they simply can’t,” he said.

“We are not turning a blind eye — help is coming.”

Mr Ravunawa said the issue stemmed from a lack of consistent electricity supply.
“The solar plants have been idle for over 16 years,” he said.

“The Public Works Department is now servicing these panels so that once power is restored, the mortuary can finally operate again.”

He confirmed that funds have already been allocated for new solar systems to power mortuaries in Vunisea, Kavala, Lakeba, and Levuka.

“Once the tender process is complete, a supplier will be appointed to install and maintain the system,” he said.

“We want our people to be cared for in a sustainable way — with dignity, even in death.”

In the 2025–2026 National Budget, the Ministry of Health has allocated $1.2 million to build new mortuary units at hospitals and health centres across the country, including Kadavu, Levuka, Savusavu, and Nabouwalu.

“This investment ensures better access to essential services, especially for rural and maritime communities,” Mr Ravunawa said. “It reflects our commitment to equitable and compassionate healthcare across Fiji.”