The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has announced that the mortuary at Tavua Hospital will be temporarily closed for renovation works from Monday, May 25 until Friday, June 12, 2026. Families who need mortuary services during this period have been advised to take deceased relatives to Ba Aspen Hospital or other nearby medical facilities that offer morgue services while the upgrade is carried out. The ministry apologised for any inconvenience caused.
The closure notice, issued by the ministry, did not specify the exact scope of the refurbishment but said it is required to allow renovation works to proceed safely and uninterrupted. The ministry’s advisory directs families and funeral providers to make alternative arrangements with Ba Aspen Hospital or other neighbouring facilities able to accept and store bodies during the three-week interruption at Tavua.
This temporary shutdown is the latest development in a wider, ongoing effort to bolster mortuary and end-of-life care infrastructure nationwide. In June 2025 the government pledged $1.2 million for construction and upgrades of mortuary units across several locations, with Tavua Sub-Divisional Hospital among sites identified for improvement. That programme has already seen new and renovated facilities open in other parts of the country, aimed at reducing pressure on existing morgues and improving access for local communities.
Government and health officials have previously said upgrades are necessary to meet demand and modernise facilities. The ministry’s apology underscored an awareness of the sensitivity of mortuary services for grieving families and communities, and the need to minimise disruption. No special transport or logistical assistance was outlined in the ministry’s statement; families are therefore being asked to liaise directly with Ba Aspen Hospital or other nearby medical centres for arrangements during the closure.
The mortuary at Tavua Hospital is scheduled to reopen after the renovation period ends on June 12. The ministry has not provided a separate timetable of works or detailed reopening procedures in the notice. Local funeral directors and community leaders are likely to be key points of contact in the coming weeks as families adjust plans for viewings, transfers and funerals.
This development will be monitored alongside the broader roll-out of mortuary upgrades across Fiji, as the health ministry continues efforts to expand capacity and modernise facilities in line with earlier government commitments.