Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has issued a public reminder about the official government protocols for the collection and burial of dead bodies found on the streets or in public places within the municipality.

The clarification follows a shift in administrative responsibilities. The mayor confirmed that, in line with government directives issued on November 1, 2025, the Freetown City Council’s (FCC) dedicated burial team has been disbanded.

Residents are now advised not to contact the FCC for the removal of deceased persons found in public. Instead, the Sierra Leone Police has been designated as the primary first responder.

“Residents are therefore advised to call the Sierra Leone Police on 900 to report the unfortunate and tragic occurrence of dead bodies found on the streets of Freetown,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stated.

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The Protocol on the Removal, Examination, and Dignified Burial of Dead Bodies outlines a nine-step process to ensure that legal and medical standards are met:

  1. The public calls the Police hotline 900 (available on all networks).
  2. Police and Medical Examiners are dispatched to the location.
  3. Authorities conduct an on-site examination and document the scene with photographs.
  4. The body is transported to a mortuary within two hours.
  5. A Medical Examiner performs a postmortem and issues a formal Death Certificate.
  6. The Ministry of Social Welfare assists with identifying the deceased or tracing relatives if needed.
  7. The burial team provides the necessary coffin or shroud.
  8. The FCC remains responsible for providing the dug-out grave.
  9. The body is buried in a dignified manner, following all legal and medical protocols.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized that this reminder aims to streamline emergency response and ensure that tragic discoveries in public spaces are handled with the necessary legal and medical oversight.