Author: miqbal@thestar.ca (Maria Iqbal)

At a rural cemetery in Ottawa, workers gather to bury the unclaimed bodies of three men. The rise in unclaimed bodies in Ontario has put a strain on cemeteries and funeral homes, with public funds not keeping up with the increasing costs. With a growing number of unclaimed bodies, efforts to locate next of kin have intensified. Financial constraints are a common reason for bodies going unclaimed, with estrangement and distance also playing a role. Despite the challenges, there are heartwarming stories of individuals being claimed by family members, emphasizing the importance of diligent efforts to prevent individuals from being…