Mortuary workers have been urged to uphold the highest standards of dignity, confidentiality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The call was made during the induction of Ghana’s first cohort of professionally trained mortuary attendants and environmental health workers by the Ministry of Health in Accra.
The ceremony also marked the launch of Death Care Week and the Death Care Heroes initiative, aimed at recognising and promoting the importance of professionals working in the death care sector.
Death Care as a Public Health Responsibility
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, officials stressed that death care services go beyond private family matters and form a critical part of public health management.
He noted that mortuary workers play a key role in infection prevention, environmental safety and the preservation of human dignity, particularly during disease outbreaks and national emergencies.
“Healthcare does not end when life ends. A responsible health system must preserve life where possible, but also ensure dignity in death,” he stated.
Strengthening Standards and Safety
The Ministry highlighted the importance of adherence to safety protocols in embalming and handling of human remains to prevent health risks and ensure families are allowed to grieve with dignity.
It also reaffirmed government’s commitment, through the Mortuary and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA), to strengthening regulatory standards, providing logistics and ensuring adequate protective equipment for workers.
MoFFA leadership indicated that the agency will continue to enforce compliance, establish operational standards and decentralise its services across the country to improve oversight.
Professionalisation of the Sector
Experts at the ceremony noted that the death care industry, though often overlooked, remains essential to public health and community wellbeing.
They emphasised that the introduction of structured training and licensing systems for mortuary workers marks a significant step toward professionalising the sector and addressing long-standing gaps in practice.
According to MoFFA, the new approach will help ensure that mortuary attendants possess the required knowledge and skills to handle human remains safely and respectfully.
Upholding Ethical Responsibility
Stakeholders further called on workers to treat all deceased persons with respect, regardless of age, social status or circumstances of death.
They stressed that mortuary attendants must serve as “ambassadors of dignity,” ensuring confidentiality and ethical conduct in all aspects of their work.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s health system and promote safer, more dignified management of death care services across the country.
