A policy to address the processes of funerals and burials on Nauru is now in effect.
The policy is aimed at guiding and ensuring proper consideration of the burial of a loved one and associated health issues.
The policy addresses the established framework and proper processes, and the collective responsibilities of the various government agencies responsible in implementing the proper process in a sensitive and sustainable method to ensure the proper process of issuing a death certificate.
It also covers the release of the funeral fund entitlement, the burial place and excavation of the same; and if cremation is the choice of the deceased or his/her family, is carried out properly and appropriately.
All deaths must now be registered with the office of Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) for a death certificate to be issued hence enables the release of the funeral fund and funeral service to proceed.
The government says it is mindful of the sensitivities around the loss and burial of a loved one, however also looks beyond the tragedy of the loss to the practicalities for health, family land space for homes, and infrastructure for development such as schools, offices, businesses and the like.
The Cemeteries Act 1922 designated five areas around the island to be used as burial grounds, and with the cemeteries at full capacity, there is now the rising practice of people burying their loved ones beside the homes posing various risks to human health and ground water contamination.
Except in exceptional circumstances the transportation of the deceased’s body is made between 7am and 6pm.
Burials must not take place after 6pm. The deceased does not remain at home for more than 12 hours.
If the family is not prepared to bury the deceased within this timeframe, the body must be returned to the morgue until time of burial.
Where the body is taken home the day before the funeral, the burial must take place by 10am the following day.
Burials outside family homes if approved under extraordinary circumstances will only be a temporary measure until a burial plot is located at a cemetery.
Government will be empowered to exhume the remains and relocate the remains to the appropriate identified burial plot.
Other sensitive issues associated with burial on family land is disputes amongst family members on which the deceased is buried, hence restrict other family member to visit the grave.
There have also been cases when the deceased is buried on land not belonging to him/her or the family.
Home burials also hinder day to day activities and obstruct the required digging and pipe laying works for underground sewage pipeline and reticulation process.
The funeral fund entitlement of $2000 is given to assist with the funeral preparations and is provided for Nauruan nationals only that have died and are buried in Nauru.
Stillbirths are required by law to be registered in the BDM registry, and are entitled to a funeral fund of $1000.
The Funeral Committee assess applications by people seeking permission for a burial outside their homes.
The Committee sets the criteria for burial applications; review and determine whether the application fulfils the criteria; and make recommendations to the President about the appropriateness of the application and the burial outside family homes.
The Committee comprises the Registrar of BDM, Director of Lands & Survey, and Public Health Inspector.
The establishment of this Committee does not mean it is acceptable for any deceased to be buried outside their homes.
The policy was approved by Nauru Cabinet resolution on 16 February 2017.