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Funeral Nightmare
wilma1
Posts: 4 Newbie
My father recently passed away and as next of kin i have been organising the funeral and other arrangements. Unfortunately we had a major problem in that a funeral director has been and collected the body today without permission which i am infuriated about wand want to know if theres anything i can do about it.
On the day my father died my mother called a recommended funeral director to inquire about what needs to happen. They spoke briefly and the director suggested a face-to-face meeting. My mother replied that as i was the person organising everything she would talk to me and leave it me as to whether we needed to get back in touch. There was no talk of fees, arrangements anything - just an initial phone inquiry.
I had managed to find a different director and never needed to contact this or any other director but then today when i went to the hospital to meet the registrar and get the death certificates, body release form and cremation form i was told that the body had already been collected that morning..!
The funeral directors my mum had inquired with had been and collected the body without even having the cremation form or release forms. I spoke with the mortician who said it was Halifax hospitals policy not to need the green cremation form or the release form to allow the body to leave their mortuary but other hospitals do require these forms. I called the funeral director at fault who only told me what my mum had told me that they had an initial chat but no fees or arrangements made but for some reason took that as if they were handling the funeral?!
I am currently trying to sort out getting the body back in time for the cremation but as you can imagine i am furous and want to know legally where i stand with this situation - mainly with the funeral directors actions but also with the hospital releasing the body without any correct consent.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance. Lee
On the day my father died my mother called a recommended funeral director to inquire about what needs to happen. They spoke briefly and the director suggested a face-to-face meeting. My mother replied that as i was the person organising everything she would talk to me and leave it me as to whether we needed to get back in touch. There was no talk of fees, arrangements anything - just an initial phone inquiry.
I had managed to find a different director and never needed to contact this or any other director but then today when i went to the hospital to meet the registrar and get the death certificates, body release form and cremation form i was told that the body had already been collected that morning..!
The funeral directors my mum had inquired with had been and collected the body without even having the cremation form or release forms. I spoke with the mortician who said it was Halifax hospitals policy not to need the green cremation form or the release form to allow the body to leave their mortuary but other hospitals do require these forms. I called the funeral director at fault who only told me what my mum had told me that they had an initial chat but no fees or arrangements made but for some reason took that as if they were handling the funeral?!
I am currently trying to sort out getting the body back in time for the cremation but as you can imagine i am furous and want to know legally where i stand with this situation - mainly with the funeral directors actions but also with the hospital releasing the body without any correct consent.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance. Lee
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Comments
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It could just be an honest mistake, They should have contacted you to confirm but I can't see that legally there is much you can do. If they have incurred cost then you won't be responsible for them. the other funeral directors can collect the body from them and continue as normal.0
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Your right in that its a mistake but an 'honest mistake' it is not. I appreciate your reply but i really only want to know legally where i stand - not opinions on whether anyone agrees with the morality of the situation.0
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You did not enter into a contract with them, either written or verbal, so you cannot be charged for any costs they may have involved themselves in. Simply contact your own funeral director (who presumably has the correct paperwork) and ask them to pick the body up from the other funeral directors.0
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Welcome to MSE Lee and sincere condolences on the sad loss of your father.
I'm sure you'll find that chesky is perfectly right in what he/she says. Contact your own funeral director in the morning and explain the situation, no doubt they'll be only too glad to put things right for you just as soon as they can. However, if you're still unsure or need further advice then I suggest you contact the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
All the very best for everything to go ahead without any additional worries to you or your family.
Sue[/SIZE]Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (2008 uncounted) 2009 = £32.154.32! 2010 = £37.581.47! 2011 = £42.474.34! 2012 = £49.759.46! 2013 = £50.642.78! 2014 = £61.367.88!! 2015 = £52.852.06! 2016 = £52, 002.40!! 2017 = £50,456.23!! 2018 = £47, 815.88! 2019 = £38.538.37!!!! :j
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It's not a problem. Just contact your preferred funeral director and they will collect and deal with it all for you.
There will probably be a fee for the collection but you would pay that to the director that handles the funeral and they will take care of the disbursements for you.0 -
Many thanks for everyones replies and kind condolences. I have arranged for a different funeral director to collect the body which should be in time for the cremation. I have also sent a letter to the funeral director at fault and the hosptial asking for explanations for their actions.0
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Pleased to hear the news Lee, please could you let us know (on this thread) the outcome of the letter to the funeral director at fault etc as it's always good to know for any more such problems in the future, though I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else!
All the best.
Sue[/SIZE]Sealed Pot Challenge 001 My Totals SizeGrand Totals of all members[/B] (2008 uncounted) 2009 = £32.154.32! 2010 = £37.581.47! 2011 = £42.474.34! 2012 = £49.759.46! 2013 = £50.642.78! 2014 = £61.367.88!! 2015 = £52.852.06! 2016 = £52, 002.40!! 2017 = £50,456.23!! 2018 = £47, 815.88! 2019 = £38.538.37!!!! :j
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Your right in that its a mistake but an 'honest mistake' it is not. I appreciate your reply but i really only want to know legally where i stand - not opinions on whether anyone agrees with the morality of the situation.
I assume all of your post is directed at me as I had been the only one to answer. I never said it was a mistake I said it could be. I also had not commented on the morality of the the situation, bit confused really0 -
I am absolutely amazed at this! You poor thing! Blow the money - I can't imagine that would be a problem with what has happened. I am just totally amazed that the hospital would release your Dad to any old funeral director without any kind of authorisation. I can't imagine how you must have felt! How dare they?! My heartfelt condolensces (? sorry terrible speller) to you and your family.0
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I assume all of your post is directed at me as I had been the only one to answer. I never said it was a mistake I said it could be. I also had not commented on the morality of the the situation, bit confused really
It could have been an honest mistake but it might not have been.
You gave your opinion which seemed OK to me as an opinion................................I have put my clock back....... Kcolc ym0
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