Matibabu Morgue

Need & Opportunity

In Western Kenya, death is not a moment, it is a chapter. Funerals are deeply cultural celebrations of life that can stretch from a week to even a month depending on a family’s traditions and the role the person held in the community. During this period, families need a place where their loved one can be preserved respectfully as they prepare to honor them through their rites and gatherings.

While Ukwala and the surrounding region had a few existing mortuaries, most lacked the infrastructure, hygiene standards, and preservation technology needed to provide dignified care for the deceased. Families were often forced to choose between substandard facilities or expensive mortuaries far away, adding emotional and financial strain during an already painful period.

Solution & Value Add

To address this need, Tiba Foundation partnered with Construction for Change to develop the Serenity Parlor Mortuary Facility, a structure designed not only for proper preservation but also for compassion, cultural sensitivity, and community trust.

As the Owner’s Representative, Construction for Change oversaw the project from planning through handover, ensuring the facility met modern health standards and resonated emotionally and culturally with the community it was meant to serve.

Today, the Serenity Parlor Mortuary is fully operational and widely utilized by families across Ukwala and surrounding villages. It has eased the financial burden of long-distance transfers and provided a space where families feel confident that their loved ones are cared for with integrity.