Not a cartel, the police find the practice of brokering the cremation of Covid-19 bodies in West Jakarta

Previously, a West Jakarta resident named Martin complained about the existence of a cremation cartel during the Covid-19 pandemic. It started when his mother-in-law died in a hospital on July 12, 2021.

In the midst of grief, Martin was approached by an officer who claimed to be from the DKI Jakarta Cemetery Service. The officer offered to help find the crematorium.

However, the officer said cremation can only be done in the Karawang area, West Java at a rate of Rp. 48.8 million. Martin was surprised by the nominal mentioned.

Because the cremation process for his brother who died a few weeks ago did not reach Rp 10 million. Even his two relatives who were also cremated due to Covid-19 only cost Rp 24 million per person.

“We were surprised and tried to contact the hotlines of various crematoriums in Jabodetabek, most of them were not picked up, while those who did answered were full,” said Martin when confirmed, Sunday (18/7/2021).

Considered the tariff was too high, Martin then asked directly to the party who cremated his brother some time ago. Turns out the rates were too high.

Then they offered a cremation in Cirebon, West Java at a rate of Rp. 45 million which could be done the next day.

Because the hospital requested that the body be moved immediately, Martin agreed to the offer of cremation in Karawang. However, at that time the officer stated that the quota was full and finally agreed to the one in Cirebon.

“The next morning (13 July 2021) at 09.30 WIB we have arrived at the crematorium in Cirebon. The mother’s car has arrived since 07.00 WIB, we checked it to make sure the in-law’s coffin was taken. It turned out that in the hearse there was another coffin, apparently one car at the same time transporting two bodies,” he said.

Martin also had a chance to chat with the cremation administrator at the location and it was stated that the fee was only Rp. 2.5 million. However, because the process is in accordance with health protocol standards, there are additional costs.

“So we need PPE, spraying and others so there is an additional cost of several hundred thousand rupiah,” he said.

Martin could not understand how dare this cremation cartel profit tens of millions of rupiah from people who are in trouble due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Armed with only a telephone and a lobby here and there, they booked slots for all crematoriums for business.

Not long ago, Martin also received a complaint from a colleague who was offered cremation services for Covid-19 bodies of up to Rp 80 million. “Even that has to wait a few more days. Finally it was decided to be buried in Rorotan, free of charge by the government,” he said.

Currently, Martin and a number of parties are focusing on building a crematorium. It is planned that the large capacity crematorium will be intended for residents who cannot afford it.

“As well as lobbying the local government so that the corpse is given a special hotel (inn) to spend the night while in line for cremation,” said Martin.

– .