In December 2000 a German woman living in the city of Marburg, died while at home in her flat. Ten months later her landlord forced open the door to the flat, concerned that she had paid no rent for as long time. It was only then that her body was discovered. It seems the woman had lost contact with her relatives and had few friends, or even concerned neighbours.
But this is not an isolated phenomenon. Germany regularly has cases where a body is not discovered until weeks, months or even years after the person has died. In one case, a Hamburg man sat dead on his sofa in front of his television for five years before he was found.
We live in a society where the sense of connection and community is breaking down. How tragic that situations such as this occur. In particular, we in the church should be attentive to caring for those around us, and for ensuring we do not ignore that person who we haven't seen for a while.
Source: reported at reuters.com, November 1, 2001.
Applications: community, relationships, care, loneliness