Michael Serrao death: Kin contacted, but mortal remains still unclaimed
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)
Mumbai, Oct 8: Soon after the news of 58-year-old Michael Leo Serrao's death was published in daijiworld, his family was identified as hailing from Jarigekatte in Kinnigoli. Serrao, who was employed as a waiter at Hotsip bar in Gokuldam, Mumbai, died on Sunday October 6 due to heart failure, but none of his family members could be located intially.
His mortal remains are kept in a morgue at Bhagavathi hospital of Borivli west. Hotel owners had contacted Mumbai’s Daijiworld bureau chief and active social worker, journalist Rons Bantwal, and given the details of the deceased and requested him to locate his relatives in order to conduct the last rites. Rons Bantwal, who swung into action, had the news published in Daijiworld besides contacting several people in Moodbidri and Kinnigoli.
The deceased Michael's brother William Serrao was identified and contacted and he disclosed that Michael was a bachelor and their parents had passed away. He asked Rons to contact their younger brother Rony Serrao who is employed in Mumbai as a driver.
Though Rons tried to contact Rony Serrao, he did not respond to the call.
Rons also spoke to Fr Rosario Fernandes, parish priest of Mundkur Jarigekatte Fatima Church to which the late Michael belonged. He suggested that it would be better to conduct the last rites in Mumbai.
As there is a scarcity of space in the hospital morgue, the hospital and the police have urged hotel owner to conduct the last rites by electric cremation. However, the hotel owner Ravindra Shetty and his brother-in-law, Udayakumar Shetty are hesitant, as it is known that Michael was a Catholic and cremation will be against his religious customs. The hotel owners have been granted additional 24 hours by the authorities to wait for his relatives. Udayakumar appreciated the efforts of Rons Bantwal and thanked Daijiworld for trying to locate the family members of the deceased.
In the absence of family members to claim the mortal remains, Serrao's final rites might be done according to the government procedures.