Kamis yang Menghangatkan Hati: Awal Pembangunan Ruang Jenazah di PPSLU Sudagaran

oleh: Pres Sista Maheni - Rotary Club of Purwokerto

Pagi itu, Kamis, 17 April 2025, udara terasa sedikit lebih sejuk, tapi suasana hati kami justru hangat. Rotary Club of Purwokerto punya agenda istimewa: peletakan batu pertama pembangunan ruang jenazah di Panti Pelayanan Sosial Lanjut Usia (PPSLU) Sudagaran, Banyumas. Sebuah langkah kecil yang kami harap bisa memberi makna besar.

Sejak pagi, Presiden kami, Sista, sudah mengirim pesan di grup WhatsApp—pengingat sekaligus ajakan untuk hadir. Responsnya cepat. Beberapa rotarian langsung konfirmasi bisa ikut, meskipun tentu saja ada yang harus absen karena sedang di luar kota atau terikat pekerjaan.

Yang akhirnya bisa hadir hari itu antara lain Rtn Anton, Rtn Meika, Rtn Aji, PE Abraham, PP Bunbun, PP Parlan, PP Ariono, AG Subiantoro, dan tentu saja Presiden Sista. Aderai juga datang mewakili PP Ali yang berhalangan. Kami sepakat berkumpul dulu di toko milik AG Subi—Kencana Sakti Printing—supaya lebih efisien dan bisa berangkat bareng. Perjalanan ke PPSLU cuma sekitar 15 menit, tapi penuh obrolan ringan dan tawa. Semangatnya sudah terasa sejak dari mobil.

Sambutan yang Membuat Kami Merasa Pulang

Begitu sampai di PPSLU, kami langsung disambut hangat oleh Ibu Kusumaningrum, Kepala Panti, dan timnya. Suasana langsung cair. Rasanya bukan seperti datang ke institusi, tapi seperti pulang ke rumah yang sudah lama tak dikunjungi. Mereka menerima kami dengan senyum, tangan terbuka, dan cerita-cerita dari para lansia yang tinggal di sana. Suasana haru dan hangat bercampur jadi satu.

Acara dimulai di aula panti. Semi-formal, tapi jauh dari kaku. Kami mendengarkan langsung kondisi panti dan kisah para penghuninya—para lansia yang datang dari beragam latar belakang. Beberapa dari mereka menyambut kami dengan senyum tulus, sapaan hangat, dan bahkan doa-doa yang menyentuh hati. Tak sedikit dari kami yang merasa haru dan diam-diam menahan air mata.

Kenapa Ruang Jenazah?

Mungkin terdengar sepele, tapi kenyataannya, saat ada penghuni panti yang meninggal dunia, sering muncul kebingungan soal di mana jenazah harus disemayamkan. Kamar tidur tentu tak pantas, mushola pun tak bisa dipakai. Dari keprihatinan itu, lahirlah ide membangun ruang jenazah yang layak dan manusiawi—sebagai bentuk penghormatan terakhir untuk para lansia yang telah menjalani hari tuanya di sana.

Rotary Club of Purwokerto menggagas ide ini dan mengusulkan pendanaan bersama dengan District. Dan hari ini, ide itu mulai diwujudkan.

Batu Pertama dan Doa-doa yang Menyertai

Setelah sesi di aula, kami berjalan ke lokasi pembangunan. Di sanalah prosesi peletakan batu pertama dilakukan. Bukan seremoni yang mewah, tapi justru kesederhanaannya yang membuat momen ini terasa begitu tulus. Kami berdoa bersama, berharap proses pembangunan berjalan lancar dan bisa selesai dalam dua bulan ke depan.

Bagi kami, ini bukan sekadar proyek. Ini adalah wujud nyata dari kepedulian. Bentuk cinta yang bisa dirasakan, bahkan saat kata-kata tak lagi bisa diucapkan.

Lebih dari Sekadar Bangunan

Kami berharap ruang jenazah ini bukan hanya menjawab kebutuhan praktis, tapi juga menjadi simbol kepedulian. Bahwa setiap orang layak dihormati, bahkan di akhir hidupnya. Bahwa cinta dan kemanusiaan harus terus dihadirkan, terutama untuk mereka yang mungkin sudah lama tak merasakannya.

Rotary Club of Purwokerto akan terus berusaha hadir. Bukan hanya memberi secara materi, tapi juga berbagi hati. Karena bagi kami, pelayanan terbaik adalah yang dilakukan dengan cinta.

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A Thursday Full of Heart: Groundbreaking Ceremony at PPSLU Sudagaran

That Thursday morning, April 17, 2025, the air was cool, but our hearts were warm. It was a special day for Rotary Club of Purwokerto—we were set to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for a new mortuary room at the Elderly Social Service Center (PPSLU) Sudagaran in Banyumas. A small step, we hoped, with a big impact.

Our club president, Sista, had already sent a reminder early that morning in our WhatsApp group, inviting all members to take part. Some responded quickly and confirmed their attendance, while others, due to work or travel, sadly couldn't make it.

Those who were able to join included Rtn Anton, Rtn Meika, Rtn Aji, PE Abraham, PP Bunbun, PP Parlan, PP Ariono, AG Subiantoro, and of course, President Sista. Aderai came to represent PP Ali, who was unavailable. We all gathered first at AG Subi’s Kencana Sakti Printing store for easier coordination and parking, then set off together. The 15-minute drive to the panti was smooth and filled with laughter, light conversations, and a strong sense of camaraderie.

A Warm Welcome That Felt Like Coming Home

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Mrs. Kusumaningrum, the head of PPSLU, along with her team. The atmosphere was instantly warm and welcoming. It didn’t feel like visiting an institution—it felt like coming home. Their open arms, kind words, and genuine hospitality set the tone for the rest of the day.

The event began in the main hall of the center. It was semi-formal, yet heartfelt and sincere. We listened to stories about the elderly residents—individuals from diverse backgrounds who now call this place home. Many of them welcomed us with open smiles, gentle conversations, and heartfelt prayers. It was impossible not to feel deeply moved.

Why a Mortuary Room?

It may seem like a minor issue, but in truth, every time a resident passes away, the staff struggles to find a proper place for the body to lie in state. Bedrooms are not suitable, and the small mosque isn’t appropriate either. From this concern, the idea of a dedicated mortuary room was born—a dignified, respectful space for a final farewell.

Rotary Club of Purwokerto took the initiative, proposing the project and seeking support from the District to help fund it. And today, that idea finally began to take shape.

A Stone, a Prayer, and a Shared Hope

After the gathering in the hall, we moved to the construction site. There, we held the symbolic stone-laying ceremony. It wasn’t a grand affair—but in its simplicity, it felt incredibly sincere. We stood together, offered prayers, and expressed our hopes that construction would run smoothly and be completed within two months.

This wasn’t just about building a room. It was about responding to a very human need. It was about showing that even at the end of life, dignity matters.

More Than Just a Building

Our hope is that this mortuary room becomes more than a practical solution. We hope it stands as a symbol of compassion—proof that everyone deserves respect, especially in their final moments. That love and humanity must always be present, especially for those who are often overlooked.

Rotary Club of Purwokerto will keep showing up—not just with material support, but with heart. Because to us, the best kind of service is the one rooted in love.