Why six weeks between death and funeral?

Can anyone on here explain why a funeral would take place six weeks after the person died? I don't know the circumstances in which the person passed away or where they were at the time but six weeks seems like an exceptionally long time to wait for burial.

Sorry I dont have any more information to share with you but I would interested to read other peoples views on this.
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  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,663 Forumite
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    Waiting for a post mortem to be done?
    Some sort of police involvement meaning the body couldn't be released?
    Death from accident at work?
    Dying abroad and wanting to repatriate the body?
    From my limited knowledge of bad tv whodunnits, those are the first that come to mind.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • htrj
    htrj Posts: 195 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    So that length of waiting time is not unheard of then?

    Thanks for your response
  • g6jns_2
    g6jns_2 Posts: 1,214 Forumite
    htrj wrote: »
    Can anyone on here explain why a funeral would take place six weeks after the person died? I don't know the circumstances in which the person passed away or where they were at the time but six weeks seems like an exceptionally long time to wait for burial.

    Sorry I dont have any more information to share with you but I would interested to read other peoples views on this.
    All sorts of reasons but without any clues it is difficult to say. Certainly six weeks is a long time unless there is some involvement with the coroner or no relatives can be found.
  • If they do a post mortem and take samples for testing some advise to wait until testing is complete. My DH's cousin who died unexpectedly was 4 weeks as they were waiting for sample results, even so he was cremated without all samples ( ifykwim, I am trying to be delicate). He wasn't murdered or anything similar, so I can imagine other more complex situations taking a lot longer.
  • I know there was a long delay in between my friend's father dying and his cremation simply because they were doing work at the crematorium and not all the facilities were functioning and a backlog was created
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
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    A neighbour's funeral was delayed for several weeks because close relatives were abroad and couldn't get back immediately.
  • htrj
    htrj Posts: 195 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    This morning I have been told that the person died from a heart attack and was in the UK as a "guest of Her Majesty".

    I have reason to doubt the person who gave me that information so do you think that explanation would be tally with the six week waiting time?
  • Under the circumstances I would think it would be due to an investigation taking place, and a post mortem.
    Six weeks does seem a long time for "normal" straight forward circumstances, although I have just attended a funeral that was 16 days after the death and that was for an elderly lady who died of natural causes so part of it could just be down to timings.


    When my grandfather was killed we had to wait 7 months for a funeral due to tests and the need for the defence to be able to carry out their own investigations.
  • whitewing
    whitewing Posts: 11,852 Forumite
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    Perhaps the family were dealing with paperwork/getting the funds to transport the body.

    (Did you mean the person was in prison?)
    :heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.
  • htrj
    htrj Posts: 195 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    Yes I was told he was in prison, would that slow things down?
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