Manila North Cemetery offers free cremation for Covid-19 deaths

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MANILA – The management of the Manila North Cemetery (MNC) announced on Tuesday that it is offering free cremation services for coronavirus-related deaths for Manila residents.

MNC head Roselle Castaneda told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that this is part of Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso’s efforts to help residents deal with the challenges of Covid-19 especially those whose loved ones died from the disease.

“Sabi kasi kahapon ni Mayor sa meeting namin na nararamdaman niya yung kinakaharap na problema ng mga kaanak, sabi niya bakit hindi ibigay na natin yung malasakit natin sa pagtulong na ililibre na natin yung kanilang gastusin para sa pagpapa-cremate ng kanilang kaanak. So bale libre na po yun para sa mga Covid-related deaths, kailangan taga Maynila (The mayor told me yesterday during a meeting that he feels for the family of those who died due to Covid-19, so he told me, why not help them and give them free cremation services for their loved ones? So now this is free, they only have to be residents of Manila),” Castaneda said.

The primary requirement to avail of the free cremation is the death certificate of the person, where the cause of death, as well as their address, is indicated.

A photocopy of the identification card of the deceased as well as of the requesting relative must also be presented to the MNC management.

Castaneda clarified that requests must come from the relatives of the deceased themselves as they will not talk to any funeral houses.

She said relatives must come directly to the MNC office with the requirements so they will be given a schedule for the cremation.

On the day of the cremation, the family should also bring their own urn or jar for the ashes.

She added that they only allow a limited number of family members and that the cadaver bag may not be opened.

Castaneda said their crematorium only reopened last March 22, specifically due to the rising number of Covid-related deaths.

“Nung nagsimula kami nito lang March 22 dahil na rin sa pandemic, libre na po talaga ang services namin, yung krudo na lang ang binabayaran ng mga kamag-anak (Since we started last March 22, our services are being given for free, the family just needs to shoulder the expenses for the crude oil),” she said.

In private crematoriums, prices start from PHP12,000 and above, according to Castaneda.

She said accommodations are done on a first-come, first-served basis, adding that the cremation normally lasts for two hours.

Castaneda also gave the assurance that their crematorium strictly follows the guidelines from the Department of Health and that all their staff wear proper protection such as masks and the personal protective equipment.