Forgotten remains transferred to mass vault in Caloocan cemetery

The Tala Cemetery in Caloocan continues to transfer bones of the deceased who have not been visited in a long time, two days before the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Mariz Umalis’ Tuesday report on 24 Oras, sacks of human bones were dropped in a structure called a mass vault in the cemetery to make way for new burials, especially since around 40 burials take place every week.

“‘Yung pinaglalagyan nag-expire na ang kontrata, tinatanggal na pag nag lapse para maglagay ng bago. Mga ‘yan ‘di na dumarating ‘yung kaanak kaya kailangan itabi dahil iniiwasan ‘yung pagkalat ng buto,” said Roy Lopez, officer-in-charge of Tala Public Cemetery.

(The deceased whose contracts have expired are removed to give way to new burials. They are no longer visited by their families so we need to put them aside so their bones won’t be scattered around.)

Those buried in an apartment- type tomb have a five-year contract. It will be then transferred to a stone vault that can be renewed yearly for P100.

After that, the remains will be placed in a mass vault with other bones.

Bones of the deceased were dropped in the vault after families failed to claim them for eight years or after more after the five-year extension.

The cemetery’s management said that even though it appears like the bones are just piled up, at least their families will know where to look for them.

Hundreds of thousands of bones can fit in the hundred-meter mass vault, which began to store remains in 2011.

This is better than being scattered all over since these have a foul smell that can destroy the lungs and carry bacteria, Lopez said.

The tombstones are lined up in case the departed’s family come looking for them.

For this year’s Undas, some family members are busy painting and repairing the remaining tombs.

“Maalagaan ang puntod nila mapakita na mahal na mahal ko sila,” Maricar Base said.

(I take care of their tombs to show my love for them.)

“Last day na po kasi ng paglilinis. Para malaman niya na inaasikaso ko siya at ‘di nalilimutan,” said Lorenzo Liston who was tending to his late wife’s tomb.

(It’s the day of clearing the tombs. I do this to show her that I still take care of her and that I remember her.)

Several people have already visited their departed loved ones, including the family of Edelyn Deloviar who became emotional due to her mother’s passing a few months ago.

“First Undas na wala sya. Palaging nasa puso sana ipagdasal niya anak namin,” Deloviar said.

(This is the first All Saints’ Day since her passing. She is always in my heart. I hope she is praying for our child.)

It was also the last day of cleaning tombs at the Manila North Cemetery and some family members were still freshening up tombs with new paint.

In Bontoc, Mountain Province, some tombs were also cleaned and painted.

Lights were put up outside a cemetery in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, tomb makers are rushing last-minute orders.

"Marami na po nagpapagawa kasi malapit na po 'yung Undas,” said tombmaker Charles Reyes.

(There are a lot of orders since All Saints’ Day is fast approaching.)

Flowers are also being sold in Baguio City from different farms in Benguet.

These flowers are more affordable since they were harvested before Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

A bouquet costs P100 to P800 depending on the floral arrangement. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News