There was unease last week at the Dominica Infirmary when a rubbish truck from the Roseau City Council, filled with trash, came to collect the coffin of a man, labeled as a pauper, to transport to the public cemetery for burial.
A source close to the incident said this is not the first time that this is happening.
“Well Tuesday was the third time that it happened and it’s painful and hurtful …” the source, who preferred to remain anonymous since she is not allowed to talk to the media, told DNO.
According to the source, when the truck came staff of the infirmary, out of compassion, told the truck driver that the coffin should not be leaving the premises in such a fashion.
She said when the truck driver was questioned on the matter he said that he was not going to dump the rubbish and return for the coffin.
“So I said ‘in other words, you are going to dump two sets of rubbish? Remember is a human being you have in that coffin,'” she said she told the truck driver.
The source said staff members became adamant that the body was not leaving the premises of the infirmary in the dirty garbage truck. “They told the truck driver, ‘So misery before death, misery after death? The body is not leaving there,’” she stated.
She said they were informed by the truck driver that it was not his responsibility to transport dead bodies.
She said the truck driver subsequently left and staff members began a desperate search to get proper transportation for the body, but to no avail. They had to dismiss the Lay Minister, who had come to conduct the burial rites because of the long wait.
The source said the gravediggers, who were waiting for the body, eventually turned up at the infirmary to ask what the problem was since they had been waiting in the cemetery for such a long time.
“So two staff had no choice but to help the grave diggers to put the coffin on a trolley and to drive it to the cemetery,” the source stated.
The trolley is used by the infirmary to transport folded laundry.
The incident has left the source and staff members in shock. “So all you come for the man, clean the truck!” She remarked. “Before they used to come in a nice van, but they sold the van. They say they have two buses, so why can’t they take out the seats and come and take the coffin to the cemetery?”
“It’s painful … we are very disturbed about it …to see the coffin going on the rubbish truck?” she remarked.
According to the source the Roseau City Council has always taken dead bodies from the infirmary to the public cemetery for burial.
DNO tried to contact the Mayor for a comment but was told that he was out of state and his deputy refused to comment on the matter.
thank God!!! i took my mother out of that place. Anytime your family is placed somewhere and the instituton refuses to let you speak to them is the first sign to remove your loved ones.WHAT A SHAME!!!
let me make a point of correction here and I quote ” i understood that the person in charge refuse to give them the body instead she allow the RUBBISH TRUCK to take the body to the cemetery” the person in charge did not refuse to give them the body because they never asked” I apologise to the person in charge for that statement made.
While talk is cheap and we can all comment how many of us care so much as to giving some time to check them out. I will go there to make a contribution and the rest should follow and then tell the world you have made a good turn to those pp there. Care and love is not only talk. Think about dat
You should first find out how to go about giving this donation. When you give a contribution, ensure that you give it to the proper authority that it will benefit the purpose of why you have given it in the first place.
@ Met Pawol
I responded based on what “Asad” stated. Re-read what I stated. I never stated that the Infirmary should bear the cost. Provision should be made with the Infirmary to ensure that these people receive a proper burial that, they are not transported on a garbage truck with garbage in it.
I stated that the government is the one who should ensure that the poor people are appropriately transported and buried. Even though he is poor, he is a child of God and his remains are to be handled with respect.
The government should give the mandate to the Infirmary or the Board of Directors to do so since these authorities are responsible for them. The government should bear the costs.
I read that they refused to allow the man’s body to go in the garbage truck. I applaud them for that. It is a mark of respect for the departed man.
Shame on that truck driver to come with garbage in a truck to transport his body to the cemetery. It is a total disgrace; a scandal.
The Infirmary has a Board of Directors. They should provide the necessary funds, hopefully the government will allocate to them to bury the poor people. The mayor should be involved in this.
In future, I hope this is what the government will do in cooperation with the mayor, the Board of Directors and management of the Infirmary.
The poor people, whether living or dead are at the mercy of those authorities. Our Lord is taking note on how the vulnerable poor and elderly are treated.
You still don’t seem to get it! Show me the money!!!
Why don’t you get off your soapbox and initiate a fundraising campaign to fund the purchase of a vehicle for this purpose? Where is the civic pride and nationalism of Dominicans?
It is time for you to start giving back!
LESS TALK AND MORE ACTION!!!!!
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Don’t wanna know what happens to the thriving and corrupt.
I AGREE the priest or who ever the minister was t did not have some form of transportation. he should have to his flock. shame on the minister as well. by the way he had no family.
It’s amazing how many care so deeply about the “dead man” – and that is alright – but how many of you cared about him was he was alive? So much compassion is emitted from bloggers about his DEATH, but how many cared about his life or others like him to at least help him to a more decent life before he/they leave this earth?
This should be an eye-opener to everyone, both on a personal and governmental level. Dominicans are becoming less and less hospital with time.
That’s all I have to say.
“hospitable”.
this should be a welcome job for the red clinic.the amount of tax payers trucks under the ministry parkup waiting to go and pick up the important peoples lunch.please dominicans stop this bull and respect all people reach or poor.shame on us man.
I commend the infirmary staff for not stooping with the truck driver.
I suppose the people at the Infirmary, it is painful, I never realize that’s the way these ppl are treated, I found that out last month and I was hurt, some of these ppl serve the country, and because they feel on hard time, they are treated like garbage, and not any garbage either, it is sad.
sorry, SUPPORT
When I grew up in Dominica, RCC had special vehicle for transporting the dead. I this modern day this is what Dominicans at home is accepting?
You know a nation, its people and leaders are judged by the way they burry their dead- especially the least among us. This incident speaks volumes of how much we have gone down as a nation and a people.
On another note, it would be a nice solution if a plot of land could be provided or donated to the Infirmary and the Grotto Home for the Homeless for burial purposes. I think then that our homeless or abandoned elderly can get a proper burial. Also bearing in mind that the cemeteries are in a bad state and over filled. Something CAN be done!!
If we used some of the money that is paid to give people whose family can afford a Gentle Rest towards paupers funeral that would not happen.
Before burying of dead by government was only for paupers. Now all Tom, Dick and Harry dressed in red getting government to bury their dead (pauper’s funeral?).
Our priorities are upside down in this country.
I’m going to play devil’s advocate because there is no way that this could be Government Policy. I believe that somewhere in the system someone is trying to embarrass the Government. To treat the deceased with such indignity is at best disturbing and at worst SICK! I hope that this NEVER happens again. RIP Mr Anonymous as we don’t know your name. In God’s eyes you will be as equal as those who were buried in silk and went in a hearse.
WOW. Did this person have any family? He was a pauper so they too did not care? SHAMEFUL.
God frowns on this type of treatment of a human body/remains. Only in Dominica you say? I never thought I would read about this. It should never have happened. The driver is a heartless man. If only people knew what their end will be like, they would conduct themselves differently and lovingly no exception toward the dead even though a pauper.
The government should ensure that the dead are respected, transported respectfully and have a decent, respecful burial, even though they are poor.
‘respectful’
The manager needs to be blamed, this is not the first time this is happening therefore from the first incident the manager should have taken a stand and prevented this from happening. Where was she, why was it the duty of the staff to bring this to the public’s attention. The board should have a serious decision about this incident and in the end her position should be terminated. This obviously woman has no compassion or concern for the for the residents of the institution.
This is outrageous and I cant believe that this is happening in the isle of Beauty where the people are full with Godly reverence fear> May the soul of this individual rest in peace.
i cant believe this is happening in dominica,my people we have a price to pay wake up.
as an infirmary staff i just want to confirm every word said here is the truth this very hurtful sad shameful.
R.I.P CYRIL MATTHEW god sees and no thats why he took u to be with him.
sister and nurses did their part management should have done their part.calling on the board do all u homework and do a proper investigation in infirmary mr holmes and mr morvan i have confidence in u all i am counting on u all
Hello Dominicans I can agree to disagree the council truck should have cleaned before taking the body for burial. They Mayor is not the prolem and not to be blame. The infirmary has a little bus, his religious leader, or priest have vehicles so they all has been judged by me GUILTY, If the sherperd had love it should be first extended to his flock.
Some of what you stated is a lot of crap and disrespectful too. The infirmary should contract a responsible driver who has a bus/truck to transport the body; not a religious leader or a priest. The manner in which the remains were handled was without dignity.
It is the government’s obligation to bury its poor. An arrangement should be made with an owner of a decent bus or truck to transport the remains to a proper burial place.
I will inform you further, funeral homes are paid by the government to transport the remains in a hearse to the burial ground. Why does the government of Dominica not have such an arrangement?
Those who are the authority in this matter are the ones who are guilty, the government, mayor and the infirmary – directors, management and supervisor; not the religious leader and the priest as you assume. Know what you are stating, that it makes sense. Next time utilize your common sense if you have any.
The infirmary can hardly manage to keep the residents fed & clothed, as they are dependant on the charity of others. I think your expectation for them to be responsible for the transportation of deceased residents to their final resting place is totally unrealistic. Perhaps the next time you visit you can make a donation towards the purchase of a vehicle to be used for such a purpose! As for the driver of the garbage truck … Karma is a bitch! Where is your conscience? Perhaps the funeral homes can step up to assist until alternate arrangements can be made.
The point is that it was thought to be OK to send a garbage truck to transport the body. The people who thought this was ok lack basic humanity. Why would the council send out a garbage truck to take a person’s body to burial. If you were in charge would you allow this to happen?
Alas, that’s a shame. No matter whether a man is rich or poor he deserves a proper burial. What goes around comes around….KARMA IS A BITCH
This is heart breaking.I think the Dominica council on Ageing should investigate the matter and check the Minister of Social Services to put an end to this kind of burial whether you are rich or poor you are entitled to proper burial . I want to hear what the Dominica council on Ageing is going to say on the matter .
R.I.P whoever you are…this story bought tears to my eyes…..God has a place for you in his kingdom(modern day Lazarus)
I chocked while reading this story. Never heard of that happening in Dominica. IT IS A CRYING SHAME.
A proper hearse could donate their services and get so much good advertising here and above!
I coudn’t have said it better myself. Guess they never thought of that. Everything should not be about money.
maybe the infirmary should get their own transport?
i pass by that rubbish truck once without rubbish in it, and it has a nasty stench. i could imagine the smell of the truck with the rubbish in it.
Roseau city council workers think it is gold they carrying in that truck. they have no respect for the living much less for the dead. That truck does park with all the rubbish behind the High Court Judge vehicle, in the entrance of the court house at the Barracoon.
It is time Roseau town council and their smelling truck have respect for the living and the dead,
That’s low down shame and disgrace on everybody responsible.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT!! WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY COUNTRY :-(
Dominica is an Island!
i cannot believe what am reading…….but we don’t respect the living let alone the dead.
it not the first time that happening at the infirmary.
Shame……City council collects 600.00 for every grave that is down within the municipality where does this money go. They know that they are the ones to bury the paupers so why no provision is made for them. None of us know how or when we will leave this life, therefore it is incumbent on all us to do good at all times. The Roseau City Council needs a new head and they need it quick.
There are no words to describe this.
This story make me cry like a kid. Shame, shame, shame who so ever you are may you rest in eternal peace. To the whistle blower may Jehovah guidance be with you always thanks.
Dominican, stop being greedy, selfish and mean and lets start things positive by helping the less fortunate. We only has one life to live and what we do in our lives that’s what we will see in our days to come.The Pauper has a better chance in life to enter the kingdom of heaven than these so called people. Stop these nonsense and do what is right. The man is poor it is not his fault so treat him with dignity and give him something he deserved in his life before his death. The driver was very much disrectful coming with Gabbage to collect a dead person, Did he have a good sense of humor? What would he do if it was his family? Man the man need some sense in his head. I would fired him on the stop. Hope Cecil Joseph, mayor of Roseau fire his for disrespecting a dead corpse.
oh my God, this is absurd and heartless. A garbage truck with Garbage come on man, even if the individual is dead. Am sure he made some meaningful contribution to society at some point of his life..
I could not believe what I just read. So many things in this article blew me away. The most suitable i.d in this day and age being pauper? Was there no record of who that person was? He/she might have been related to me and only after years of research finding out that he had past would want to find his grave. Most shocking was the fact that the RCC sent a garbage truck to transport a human body, this is not war time, what is wrong with who ever felt it fit to approve that? My opinion is that the Dominica Infirmary should be provided with its own van/bus, justifying me reasons why i feel so is ridiculous. Are we no longer human beings with hearts and souls in Dominica. Do we really see some people as no more than just sewer rats?
This is indeed a sad incident as most Dominicans follow a religion. The Bible states we must bury the dead. If this is the mentality we certainly have to pray more so that the Holy Spirit can be with us at all times to provide us with more wisdom and love. Pray for the driver as he is possible too absorbed in his own world. xx
Someone had to authorized that undertaking. This should be looked into. Or else it will become the norm. What a place!! Are there people living in Dominica?
But what I’m hearing there nuh? I thought they said that the RED CLINIC was to help the poor and needy? So what about the poor dead?
First of all we are talking about a human being not a dead dog so why a dump truck to carry a deceased person to their final resting place. Although it does not matter what the person was I am curious what does the word “pauper” means. Is’ent the infirmery the place for the Senior Citizens whoose families are unable to take care of them? Thanks for a responce from someone..
My sentiments exactly, why a garbage truck?
This is totally absurb. A dead person being transported in a garbage truck? Everybody has dignity, dead or alive. In today’s Dominica that is untenable and ought not to be tolerated. The City Council should be ashamed of such. The staff of the Infirmary should be credited for their stance
it’s a low downright shame, the Dominica how I knew it is not the same filled with hate, envy, jealousy, greed, self enrichment and cold hearted…remember what goes around comes around!!
Well I am no longer shocked, since in Dominica now we do not respect the living much less for the dead. It is the Law of the Jungle now, Survival of the Fittest.
so the man driving the garbage truck didn’t find he being ridiculous? it’s not a dog? even though the person had no family to give a proper burial doesn’t mean he/she wasn’t a brother, son, father to someone….it could be him….the tables might turn wi..that’s a shame
If we do not have respect for the dead, how can we respect the living? No wonder we are the laughing stock of the Caribbean.
This is as Dominican as 365 Rivers. The Dominicans society is as cold as that. Why is the Council willing to allow this to happen.
The individual Dominican is like any other individual from any other country. As individuals we humans are capable of all kinds of behaviors some kind, some unkind some humane and some inhumane. As a collective/culture however, Dominicans are a base, crude, rude, brutal, set. Look at how the poor, homeless and mentally ill are treated in this society.
Dominica as a society has not yet developed a sense of basic civility. We are still in the Negres Marrons mentality
Bonjay, awa!
There is no excuse for that. that is inhumane. they could have used an ambulance, or the police van. not a garbage truck.come on. i would have volunteered to use my van.
DNO, I am overseas and normally refer people to your site for happenings in our country. Such stories don’t portray us the friendly nation we are known as out there at all.
Yes, exposing is fine, but follow-ups should be done to ensure corrective actions have been taken.
u all too like to sweep things under carpet.. shame on them
I agree, there’s always a story, and rarely any follow up…
Oh well, too bad. Put the secret out when they doing wrong. If the man had money, land for people to fight over, relatives in high society…he would be buried like a king. Just because he is poor and has no one to care for him neither in life nor in death, he is put away like some garbage. I hope he comes back to haunt the infirmary and those responsible. What you don’t want for yourself, don’t do to others. God is watching
This was just in, wait for your follow-up.
Too sad and painful to comment
What a disgrace no matter what u are pauper rich or whatever u need to be treated with dignity and respect when u alive and when u die the mayor of roseau must change this very shameful
I remember in the days of before the Town Council now known as the City Council had a black vehicle then driven by Mr Collins who transported the dead who could not afford to the cemetery. It is unbelievable what I am hearing, a dump truck. We need to do much better than that. Dominicans get up and smell the coffee.
What cold-hearted, callous and unfeeling people!
I am crying as i comment,I don’t know the person but he or she was a child of GOD.For all thoes who quick to quote Christ when people express themselves to things that hurt them;They should adress the mayor and his government,the ones that singing on mountains and rooftop.YES WE CARE,
WHAT A SHAME!!!
as long as people turn out from their wicked ways and seas from doing evil the land and people will not be at peace
I blame skerrit since he come pm the entire nation change
for the worse.
trust some jackass to involve politics
It’s damn political in every way possible
IIuvmyPm, u are such an idiot… what does the PM have to do with that….
Public cemetery, not that cemeteries are private, public garbage truck. What else is new?
It seems that Prime Minister Skerrit is Jesus Christ. When all you kostipay, blame him too. But I am praying for him morning, noon and night.
lolololololol
THE NEXT LEVEL!!!! DOWNWARDS.
“Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals.” Sir William Gladstone
excellent and insightful comment, its as if Sir Gladstone was speaking to the sorry state of this very country. Wow…
Dominica is in need of a lot of help.Things a way too expensive, the young guys look terrible.The people in the business places need to go to classes to learn how to treat customers.Roseau need a makeover and Chinese and Haitian take over, wake up Dominicans.Things are not looking good in Dominica ,some will be angry with me but it’s the truth. The Chinese are selling pure rubbish in Dominica and these things can make people sick.I love my country but i don’t like the vibes at all.
What the Chinese people are importing into our county are the same things that our local business owners are and the same items are being sold almost double the price that the Chinese are selling…I love the Haitian people too! Our people are very lazy and has tomuch pride to do the what the Haitians are doing. Since the Haitians are in Dominica we can now go to the Portsmouth market any day except Sunday and get our vegetables. Before we never had that!
However the situation at hand is rather disturbing and unfortunate and I’m sure there’s another side to this story…..
I guess you are one of the lazy people. Why do you not grow your own vegetables so you would not have to buy them from the Haitians or anyone else for that matter. LAZY.
Did that prevent a proper burial for the deceased?
Do better please, we never know how or where we/family members may end up later in life. Let us set the example of compassion and common decency. Correct this RCC and let us not have that happen again. This is very heartbreaking.
I am at a loss for words. Is this the level that we have sunken to? Indeed, it’s a sad state of affairs. SMH
This is so disgraceful, at least the government can provide a van for such people to leave with a little dignity whilst they are leaving this world. Not just they are called paupers and they are sending a rubbish truck to transport the remains to the cemetery. DISGRACEFUL and HORRIBLE, never thought I would hear this coming from Dominica. Where is the community spirit, Please bring this back.
not just a rubbish truck a rubbish truck filled with rubbish. Give me a break!!!!
This is such a shame and disrespect to the faithfully departed. This is an outcry. No one deserves to be treated this way. They should have a full funeral attended by staff if there are no relatives. I commend the staff for standing her grounds God bless her
alas wii….hmph
Lack of respect for the Dead thats what we have come to in Dominica, Gabbage Truck to bury the dead where is the conscience of the nation and espically those who are responsible
this bring tears to my eyes.
It is rumored, Mayor Cecil Joseph wants to replace TimTIM in the Goodwill Constituency, I hope the people of the Goodwill Constituency are taking note. You have an alternative in the person of Mr. Lugay.
think the staff is being too dramatic, while i understanf their humanitarian concern, . .. fancy truck or van, soul is what matters. God doesnt care how or in what we come to him
so to save ur fam money u don’t mind them putting ur body on a rubbish truck right?
Hello, in America some people say CREMATE their body to save money. Sometimes it is not all about the money. Some families just turn their backs because you do not have wealth to WILL to them.
Would you like any of your family members to be transported for burial in that manner??? Too Dramatic my fooot!
would you like to see one of your family member transported to the cemetary on a truck filled with garbage they are not telling you that the truck was not fit for taking the body but the fact that there was garbage on it was disrespectful. We must not treat one another like that, poor or wealthy we all came from dust and must return the same way so we are all equal on this earth. The workers have a right to behave that way because they care for the elderly that are in their care. You are not there to know what they are going through on a daily basis so do your research. Where was the manager? thats what you should be askig they need to revise her duties, board members take charge of this situation and lets treat our dear bother and sister equal.
Anonymous, the attempted act is not a reflection on the person in the coffin it reflects on those who would dared to have sent it and to execute it. and by extension on those who see nothing wrong with it.
Common decency should be exercised. It is inexcusable that a garbage truck whether it is laden with garbage or not is used for such a purpose. It is just not appropriate and sends a very wrong message about our compassion. True the dead person knows nothing but our love for humanity is measured not just by what we do for the living but for our dead too. We can do better and we must do better…over to you Mayor Joseph and others in authority.
wow, they is so shameful,i am at a lost for word.
a garbage truck come on. you mean all respect for the human soul is lost. in my days growing up, we were told to respect the dead. You mean Dominicans have no compassion for others anymore especially those in authority
anonymous, i wish when i die ur children or family put u in a ruddish truck and dump u in a hole in an unmarked grave… damn idiot
You should put it in your will that you would like to be taken to the cemetery in a garbage truck filled with garbage when you die.
Yet it is a shame however you look at the situation.
this is so shameful my my island ….it is a total shock to read this story …and that is the reason why the gov’t is not doing any thing to help the young people growing up in dominica…none the less this man had a hard life;if he was a rich man and no family the gov’t would take his money ,he is still a human being even though he was a pauper,,,we are born one way ,we die another way….
he should have his last journey in dignity and it is the gov’t’s responsibility because before he was a pauper he was also a voter…
remember that the bible says;it is easy for a pauper to go heaven than a rich man…may his souls rest in peace…
For real is this really happening in Dominica wow sad way to go to u final resting place good job staffers for standing up to this very sad situation i hope the persons in charger do something about this would sure not want to read something like this again.
Alas…magway ca
I know that the person is dead but kamem have some respect for the dead. This is disgraceful for that to be happening in our loving country. That man doh have a heart for him to come carry someone in a truck full of trash, what happen to some of us? Alas, I hope something is done about this asap.
such a shame the truck driver leave him the hands of God let God deal with him his turn will come judgment belongs to God wicked set of ppl the wicked shall perish the bible says
who are the idiots who dislike my comment foolish set of ppl u 2 shall perish
This is shameful beyond words! The Roseau City Council must give an explanation of this shameful behaviour. I am not surprised. It is the RCC culture. They hardly do anything to keep the public cemetery in a decent condition.
The driver is also disrespectful. If his supervisors were different, he also would be.
People, be careful! We do not know how we will exit this earth. Show compassion for everyone.
dont base ur story on he say and say say… if people are so knowleageable about the council the will know that the council has one bus …. secondly when we bury our so call loveones after two weeks we forget they alive and we negect them… third fact we must remember we are the ones dirtying while the council try to clean our mess. we talking about the council have bus.. the infirmry have a bus tooo.. and i will not continue. at least the council making an effort to help…. y one of the workers at the infirmry did not volunteer to use the vehicle?
an y isnt the government making an effort to increase the subvention they giving the council? all of that is what has to be talkied about …. hellloooooooo
again ill say, stop being dramatic about this. what are the policies of the infirmary? They take ppl land and persnal belongings, why cant they invest in a hurst? why depend on the RCC? typical church institution , always begging, whilts their wealth is sent to the Vatican.
wtfffffffffff this is unbelievable
it is true
I’m just so ashamed of the state of things in my country.