Cambridge Opposes Burial Of Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect In City
CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- The city of Cambridge is "urging" the funeral home caring for the remains of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev and the Tsarnaev family not to bury his body in the city.
"The city of Cambridge has no formal application for a burial permit, or the purchase of a cemetery plot," Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy wrote to CBS in an email on Sunday. "I would, however, urge both the funeral director and the family of Tamerlan Tsarnaev not to make such a request."
Healy said burying the bombing suspect in Cambridge would be disruptive and unwelcome. "The difficult and stressful efforts of the citizens of the city of Cambridge to return to a peaceful life would be adversely impacted by the turmoil, protests, and widespread media presence at such an interment. The families of loved ones interred in the Cambridge Cemetery also deserve to have their deceased family members rest in peace," he wrote.
Healy cited state law that gives him authority to "act as chief conservator of the peace within the city."
"I have determined that it is not in the best interest of 'peace within the city' to execute a cemetery deed for a plot within the Cambridge Cemetery for the body of Tameran Tsarnaev," Healy wrote.
The city manager praised law enforcement, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for their handling of the bombing probe, adding, "other federal agencies should take the lead in the burial of this individual."
Graham Putnam & Mahoney Funeral Parlors in Worcester is caring for Tsarnaev's remains.
