The case of an infant who has remained unburied for nearly two years since his death has highlighted the serious issues and gaps arising from an outdated law—that of the coroners. A law dating back to the colonial era of 1936 continues to influence actions, decrees, and decisions a century later. Although in this case involving the three-month-old infant, the legislative commissioner tasked with modernizing the law states that since there is a coroner’s order for the infant’s burial, it should proceed.

“The body does not need to remain there for the entire duration of the criminal proceedings against the parents. The issue is that no relatives have yet proceeded with the burial. So this is clearly a humanitarian matter.” ^{Sophia Kleopa Hatzikyriakou, Commissioner for Legislation}

This is not the only case

The case of the infant is not the only one. Unfortunately, there are other bodies in the morgues of OKYPY hospitals that are either unidentified or for which no relatives have come forward. In cases where the identities of the deceased are known, OKYPY takes the initiative to coordinate with dioceses that have the necessary space to conduct the funeral service. Provided that a coroner’s death certificate has been issued.

“We will try to simplify the system. That is, everything must now be documented; medical examiners must operate according to protocols. To put it in perspective, the current law refers to a ‘doctor’—that is, a licensed medical professional—but under the law, anyone could perform an autopsy. There are even reports of deaths following execution orders issued by a governor, a chief justice, or local authorities that no longer exist—and laws that are no longer in force.” ^{Sophia Kleopa Hatzikyriakou, Commissioner for Legislation}

Procedures involving the medical examiner’s office, the police, and coroners, who in this case are judges. The effort focuses on making these roles more distinct.

“The study is moving forward and is nearly complete; we will then see which recommendations can be implemented, how we will proceed, and I will draft a preliminary version of a new, modern bill.” ^{Sophia Kleopa Hatzikyriakou, Commissioner for Legislation}

According to the commissioner, current legislation allows relatives of the deceased to request an autopsy, a provision that is expected to change and be subject to strict criteria. A typical example is the case of a 98-year-old man who died of old age, and whose 75-year-old daughter requested an autopsy to determine any hereditaryinherited diseases.

See the report by Nasia Ioannou