Wrong body cremated after mix-up at hospital mortuary

LEGAL action was launched yesterday by the family of a 95-year-old woman whose body was cremated by mistake following a mix-up at a hospital mortuary.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Jan 2010, 20:55 BST

Updated 22nd Jan 2010, 20:55 BST

Marion Greenwood's dying wish was to be buried in a plot with her husband and son, but only her ashes now remain after the wrong body was released by staff at Tameside General Hospital.

The widow lived in a nursing home in Ashton under Lyne before she was taken to the hospital and died on January 11.

The family's funeral director arrived days later to collect the body ahead of a burial service, only to be informed that it had already been sent to a crematorium.

Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust issued an "unreserved apology" as it suspended a member of staff.

Solicitor Sharon Williams said: "This is a tragic case and we need to make sure that Marion's family receive the answers they deserve and to ensure lessons are learned."

Ashton