The Malabon City government announced on Friday, October 11, that it is offering free services to families who want to cremate the remains of their dead laid in Tugatog cemetery. 

(Photo from Malabon City Government)

According to the city’s public information office, 563 families availed of the free cremation services offered by the city government ahead of the commemoration of Undas.

The city government held a meeting last September with the concerned Malabueños to inform them of the ongoing redevelopment of the Tugatog Public Cemetery.

During the meeting, the local government distributed request and consent forms and explained the guidelines regarding the cremation or the transfer of remains to the ossuary or bone depository.

It added that the City Engineering Department (CED) along with the City’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) conducted the landscaping and shrub-cutting activities to prepare the cemetery for visitors during the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day commemoration.

Volunteers and emergency responders were also oriented to assist in the clearing and cleanup operations.

Also, personnel from CED installed light posts, perimeter fences and repaired gravel paths and gates in various areas to ensure the safety of the residents.

The local government asked the families to choose either cremation or transfer of the remains of their deceased loved ones to the Tugatog Public Cemetery ossuary, columbarium or other cemeteries.

As of September 26, a total of 8,702 families applied for the transfer of the remains of their dead to the ossuary, 7,107 to the columbariums, and 63 to other cemeteries.

City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval assured the families that the city government is committed to ensuring the proper care of the cemetery during its redevelopment.

"Atin pong inilapit ang serbisyong ito sa mga pamilya ng mga yumaong Malabueño na nasa Tugatog Cemetery upang hindi na sila mag-alala sa kalagayan ng kanilang mga minamahal habang patuloy ang pagsasaayos sa lugar. Kaunting panahon na lang po at muli nating mabubuksan ang sementeryo na siguradong mas maganda at mas maayos para sa mga nakalibing dito at sa kanilang mga pamilyang nais dumalaw sa kanila (We have brought this service closer to the families of the departed Malabueños at Tugatog Cemetery, so they no longer have to worry about the condition of their loved ones while the area is being improved. Just a little more time and we will be able to reopen the cemetery, which will surely be better and more organized for those who have buried there and for their families who wish to visit them),” she said.