Cremation leaves mental trauma

-in Marshall

Young people involved in the process of cremation in Marshall, Margibi County are reportedly developing mental problems. 

Some residents, who spoke with this paper in the area, said members of the cremation team, who live in the Boys and Kpan Town communities in Marshall, were also usually engaged in excessive smoking, while others said things as if they were mentally deranged, stressing that many of their kids have become abnormal due to the work (cremation) they do. 

According to the community residents, the cremation of Ebola bodies in the area has caused serious division among the people of Marshall, as the youths- involved in the cremation process, are regarded as outcasts. 

The community residents also spoke of a high degree of discrimination against them by community residents.

The Chairman of the two communities, Mr. Tiberlrosa Summoh Tarponweh, however, recommended to the Government of Liberia, the provision of psycho-social and counseling services to members of the community, including the young men hired, without proper guidance, to perform such abnormal task (Cremation).

“The primitive cremation being executed in our neighborhood- identical to watching a horror movie, has polluted the air and water, stigmatized and contaminated the environment, as well as caused serious trauma and Psychological abuse of our kids,”  said Chairman Tarponweh.

He also emphasized the urgent need for the government to provide benefits for the young men and people of Marshall for “grossly violating their rights”, noting that his people remain peaceful as they await the outcome of all of the recommendations advanced by them, especially  citizens of the Boys and Kpan Town Communities.

Chairman Tarponweh indicated that though the the two communities were united to fight against the deadly Ebola virus, it was also incumbent upon the government to protect their lives, especially those involved and living around the cremation site.

The residents, however, called on the government to relocate the site, warning the Indians not to use such place as cremation site anymore.

He also urged the government, on behalf of his citizens, to take immediate action to secure and preserve the crematorium for use as a shrine in memory of Liberians who succumbed to the deadly Ebola virus disease.

Even though the Marshall residents did not say whether cremation was still taking place in the area.

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, recently announced the purchase of a landmass in Margibi County for dead Ebola victims.

According to the government, the burial site would be utilized to inter all bodies- Muslims and Christians.