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Business people throughout Hannibal are combining efforts Thursday to provide a burial service for two fetuses that were found stored in jars in the basement of a Sixth Street building in downtown Hannibal Wednesday afternoon.
Jim O’Donnell of James O’Donnell Funeral Home began coordinating the response after learning of the discovery.
“We were notified by the Marion County coroner’s office that they had come upon this through their investigation and requested help in determining what was a respectful and proper way to lay the remains to rest. That’s when we offered to coordinate a community effort to lay these little ones to rest,” he said.
In addition to O’Donnell’s, which is donating the service and casket, Mount Olivet Cemetery is contributing a plot while Hannibal Monument Company is providing a grave maker. According to O’Donnell, representatives of both the cemetery and monument company were willing to help.
“There was no hesitation. We’re very fortunate in our community to have folks like that around who care,” he said.
As far as O’Donnell’s participation, it keeps with family tradition.
“The irony is this is something my dad did for years and years, and today is the anniversary of his death. To get a call like that kind of makes me feel good to do something I knew he would have done. We’re glad we’re here and able to do that,” he said.
While the fetuses have no family or friends, O’Donnell anticipates people will be present to mourn their loss.
“We’ve gotten some contacts from local community groups and I think there will be some folks there,” he said. “That will be a nice way to peacefully lay these little ones to rest.”
Among those who will be on hand are members of the Hannibal Chapter of Missouri Right to Life.
“I felt it was important for our chapter to be part of the ceremony,” said Tina Boltinghouse, president of the local chapter which will be donating flowers.
Boltinghouse isn’t surprised that the community is rallying together.
“Not really because this is Hannibal,” she said. “I was very pleased to hear it.”
A graveside service is planned, but has not yet been scheduled. Darrell McCoy, Marion County coroner, reported late Thursday afternoon that he had turned the remains over to the funeral home.
Business people throughout Hannibal are combining efforts Thursday to provide a burial service for two fetuses that were found stored in jars in the basement of a Sixth Street building in downtown Hannibal Wednesday afternoon.
Jim O’Donnell of James O’Donnell Funeral Home began coordinating the response after learning of the discovery.
“We were notified by the Marion County coroner’s office that they had come upon this through their investigation and requested help in determining what was a respectful and proper way to lay the remains to rest. That’s when we offered to coordinate a community effort to lay these little ones to rest,” he said.
In addition to O’Donnell’s, which is donating the service and casket, Mount Olivet Cemetery is contributing a plot while Hannibal Monument Company is providing a grave maker. According to O’Donnell, representatives of both the cemetery and monument company were willing to help.
“There was no hesitation. We’re very fortunate in our community to have folks like that around who care,” he said.
As far as O’Donnell’s participation, it keeps with family tradition.
“The irony is this is something my dad did for years and years, and today is the anniversary of his death. To get a call like that kind of makes me feel good to do something I knew he would have done. We’re glad we’re here and able to do that,” he said.
While the fetuses have no family or friends, O’Donnell anticipates people will be present to mourn their loss.
“We’ve gotten some contacts from local community groups and I think there will be some folks there,” he said. “That will be a nice way to peacefully lay these little ones to rest.”
Among those who will be on hand are members of the Hannibal Chapter of Missouri Right to Life.
“I felt it was important for our chapter to be part of the ceremony,” said Tina Boltinghouse, president of the local chapter which will be donating flowers.
Boltinghouse isn’t surprised that the community is rallying together.
“Not really because this is Hannibal,” she said. “I was very pleased to hear it.”
A graveside service is planned, but has not yet been scheduled. Darrell McCoy, Marion County coroner, reported late Thursday afternoon that he had turned the remains over to the funeral home.
