Turkish undertaker’s family move to cemetery as quake victims buried

Going home

Ali’s sons spend most of the day with their mother since schools are still closed. They play among the graves with their cousins, who live with Ali’s brother Emrullah and his wife Asli in a tent next to the bus. The family also moved to the cemetery for safety and amid fears of aftershocks.

Ali fears for their psychological state, but couldn’t find anyone to care for them away from the cemetery.

“I plan on taking them on holiday once we’re all settled,” he said. “They saw all the people with bodies in their arms because they were with me.”

Ali’s wife Hatice said they had seen many bodies around the bus, mostly children.

The family went hungry for the first three days sheltering at the cemetery as everyone worked to hold funerals. The children did not complain, 43 year-old Hatice said. Her older sons were doing well, she said, though her youngest son started biting his nails and asking to go home.

They slept on blankets for the first few days, then wooden boards and recently received beds to sleep on in the bus.

The family had lived only seven months at their house, which authorities said sustained little damage. While Hatice is comfortable going inside, Ali is more cautious. “We’re trying to overcome our fears,” he said.