Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo: Mourners Learn How to Grieve and Safely Bury a Body

In the city of Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a deadly disease called Ebola has been killing people at an alarming rate. The outbreak has hit the province of Ituri hard, where nearly 200 people have died in just a few months. Families are not only dealing with grief — they are also learning new ways to hold funerals that keep everyone safe. Health workers and scientists are working side by side with local communities to stop the virus from spreading further.

Joel Lonza Makumbu has visited Nyamurongo cemetery six times in recent weeks. He buried his father one day and came back the very next day to bury his mother. He has also lost three sisters and a brother-in-law to Ebola. 'I want to say for all people to hear that Ebola is true,' he said, hoping others would take the disease seriously.

Ebola spreads when people come into contact with the body fluids of someone who is infected. These fluids include blood, urine, vomit, and breast milk. Because of this, the way people handle and bury the dead must change during an outbreak. Safe burials are one of the most important steps to stop the virus from spreading to more people.

The current outbreak is caused by a rare form of Ebola called Bundibugyo, which kills about one in every four people who get infected. The disease has mainly spread in the Ituri region, and the city of Bunia is at the center of the crisis. Health workers are trying hard to stop it from reaching more communities. Spreading awareness about the disease is also a big part of their effort.

In the Ituri region, families traditionally wash the bodies of their loved ones and dress them in nice clothes before burial. Funeral ceremonies can last several days, with singing, celebrations, and rituals to honor the person who has died. Julienne Anoko, a scientist who studies cultures and works for the World Health Organization (WHO), explains that many communities believe a dead person must look their best. They see death as a journey to the world of their ancestors, not as an ending.

But when someone dies from Ebola, their body must be sealed right away in a special leak-proof body bag to prevent the virus from spreading. This means the traditional washing of bodies is no longer allowed. Health workers have tried to find ways to respect local customs while still following safety rules. For example, coffins with clear panels on the sides are now used so families can still see their loved ones one last time.

Maria Munoz-Bertrand works for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC). She says her team tries to listen carefully to families and honor their wishes as much as possible. 'We want to be as supportive as possible, while at the same time protecting them, the community, and our volunteers,' she said. Her goal is to protect people while still being kind and caring during an incredibly hard time.

At a hospital in Bunia, an IFRC team of six volunteers dressed in full protective gear picked up the body of a 34-year-old mother of four. Her father, Simone Nyal, watched quietly from a distance. 'This is a big blow for us,' he said, adding that his daughter had been sick for only one week before she died. At the cemetery, the burial took less than 10 minutes, and the volunteers carefully cleaned their gear before leaving.

Anoko says convincing families to accept new burial practices is one of the hardest parts of her job. One of the most difficult situations involves the burial of pregnant women, since some communities believe the baby should not be buried with the mother. 'We negotiate to make the family accept the unacceptable,' she says. Anoko uses her knowledge of local culture to gently guide families toward safe solutions that still respect their beliefs.

Anoko has worked through several Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo and West Africa, and many families welcome her back because of the trust she has built. She acts as a bridge between community traditions and the science of disease prevention. Her work shows that fighting an outbreak is not just about medicine — it is also about understanding and respecting people. Joel Lonza Makumbu, who still has four relatives in treatment centers, hopes his story will convince others that Ebola is real and must be taken seriously.