THE oven used to cremate bodies in Windhoek has broken down after a pacemaker implanted in a person whose body was being reduced to ashes exploded during the cremation process.
City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye today said the explosion of the pacemaker happened two weeks ago and since then no cremations have taken place. He added that the cremation furnace is set to be repaired this week.
“All undertakers have been informed not to bring bodies to the crematorium and that the only option will be burial,” he said.
Normally pacemakers or any other surgical implants must be removed prior to a cremation.
Namibia only has one crematorium, situated in the Gammams Cemetery in Pionierspark in Windhoek. The crematorium was built in 1975.
Cremations have been brought into the spotlight after the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that families of people who died of Covid-19 may transport their loved ones’ remains only if the deceased had been cremated at the families’ cost.
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