Gateshead wrong body funeral blunder: Two dismissed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21388154

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Two workers at a Tyneside funeral home have been sacked over a mistake which led to the wrong body being cremated.

The breach of procedure by Co-operative Funeralcare staff meant friends and family ended up saying their final goodbyes to a complete stranger during the funeral at Birtley Crematorium.

The company said the families concerned had been notified as soon as the error came to light.

Following a full investigation, two members of staff were dismissed.

'Very difficult'

The spokesman for Co-operative Funeralcare apologised for any distress caused, and said it had also liaised fully with the crematorium.

He added: "We remain in close contact with the families.

"In the interests of client confidentiality we are unable to comment further."

A spokesman for Gateshead Council, which operates the crematorium, said: "We understand how very difficult this must be for the families involved.

"We have carried out investigations and all indications are that all of our standard procedures were followed."