A 24-year-old Ghanaian mortician has shared insights into her profession, revealing that she lives in the mortuary and her room is just seven steps away from where bodies are kept. In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Ewurabena Quartey, who also works as a hearse driver, explained why morticians knock before entering the room where the deceased are stored.
Why They Knock
Quartey stated that knocking is a way to maintain the respect the dead had while alive. In Ghanaian culture, it is customary to knock before entering someone's home. She emphasized that although they know the dead cannot respond, the gesture is about preserving dignity. 'We don't have to throw away their respect just because they are dead. We still maintain the respect,' she said. She added that if a mortician accidentally trips over a body, they apologize.
Belief in Ghosts
Despite working closely with the dead, Quartey said she has never encountered a ghost, but she believes they exist. Her story has sparked mixed reactions online. Some praised her bravery, while others expressed discomfort. One commenter noted, 'If you don't believe in fear, nothing scares you.' Another shared a story of a Nigerian mortuary worker who claimed ghosts asked to go to the club.
Related Incident
In a similar story, a female mortuary worker discovered a handwritten note on a deceased person's body. The note, resembling a shopping list, was found while dressing the body and went viral on TikTok.
