Explained: How Mortuaries Dispose of Unclaimed Bodies

On March 24, Kenyatta National Hospital's Farewell Home announced it would dispose of 480 unclaimed bodies within 7 days, most of which were children, causing shock and outrage in Kenya. Before any disposal, mortuaries follow a strict legal process, including a mandatory holding period of 21 to 90 days during which efforts are made to trace families. If these efforts fail, a court order is required before proceeding with disposal, typically through mass burials in municipal cemeteries.