Transitions - Unable to Bury their Loved Ones, Haitian Earthquake Survivors Suffer Overhwhelming Sorror

Transitions Column by Bonnie McCullough, NYSFDA

ALBANY, NY (02/23/2010)(readMedia)-- The Haitian government anticipates that the recent earthquake disaster will claim between 100,000 and 200,000 lives. Of this number, very few bodies of the deceased will ever be found by their families, and honored with a funeral service and proper burial rites. Haitian families are coping with sudden and tragic loss made even harder to bear with the absence of a body.

Haiti is a nation where funeral rites are extremely sacred. Earthquake survivors worry about the spirits of the dead. There are only a few priests available to conduct funeral rites. Most survivors are unable to identify and bury their loved ones. It is estimated that 80% of Haitians are Catholic, but more than half of Haitians also practice Voodoo. Most Haitians believe there must be a death ritual to release a loved one's spirit to God; otherwise, the spirits are trapped. As tens of thousands of unclaimed bodies were either taken away in pick-up trucks for burial in mass graves, or taken by Haitian government authorities and cremated, there is worry that the spirits are not at rest.

In the United States, with the exception of 9/11 when the bodies of more than 1700 victims were never recovered, there have been few, if any, occasions when families did not have the opportunity to honor loved ones with a formal funeral service, proper burial and/or an appropriate memorial, helping to calm grief and reach closure. Research indicates that viewing the deceased or knowing that a body has been located helps to fulfill the psychological needs of those left behind.

In recognition of the impacts felt by survivors of this disaster and its aftermath, the New York State Tribute Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) has established a Haitian Relief Fund to assist victims of this overwhelming disaster. All New York funeral directors, funeral service suppliers and others affiliated with funeral service in the state are being encouraged to donate to this special fund. The public is also invited to make contributions to the fund.

To make a donation to the Tribute Foundation Haitian Relief Effort, please call 800-291-7629, visit www.tributefundation.org or mail to: 426 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

(Bonnie McCullough is executive director of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, an organization of more than 900 funeral homes and 3500 licensed funeral directors.)

(If you have a question about funeral service or would like a list of NYSFDA member funeral directors in your area, contact NYSFDA, 426 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or visit the Web site: www.nysfda.org)

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Editor's Note: For more information, or to schedule an interview with NYSFDA Executive Director Bonnie McCullough, please call Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816; cell 518-424-8719 or Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230.