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Woman's body cremated by mistake Woman's body cremated by mistake
(about 5 hours later)
The body of a great-grandmother was cremated instead of being buried after a mix-up at a hospital mortuary.The body of a great-grandmother was cremated instead of being buried after a mix-up at a hospital mortuary.
Marion Greenwood's family were told by Tameside General in Greater Manchester that the wrong body had been released to the crematorium.Marion Greenwood's family were told by Tameside General in Greater Manchester that the wrong body had been released to the crematorium.
The 95-year-old had planned her funeral and had wanted to be buried next to her husband and son.The 95-year-old had planned her funeral and had wanted to be buried next to her husband and son.
Instead, her ashes are locked away at Dukinfield Crematorium. The hospital has offered its "unreserved apologies".Instead, her ashes are locked away at Dukinfield Crematorium. The hospital has offered its "unreserved apologies".
Mrs Greenwood, whose ashes will not be released until after an investigation has been carried out, died of natural causes at Tameside General Hospital on 11 January.Mrs Greenwood, whose ashes will not be released until after an investigation has been carried out, died of natural causes at Tameside General Hospital on 11 January.
Her daughter, Susan Andrews, and grandchildren children, Mark and Paula, are demanding answers from the hospital.Her daughter, Susan Andrews, and grandchildren children, Mark and Paula, are demanding answers from the hospital.
They are absolutely devastated, they are desperate to know how this kind of thing could have happened Solicitor Sharon WilliamsThey are absolutely devastated, they are desperate to know how this kind of thing could have happened Solicitor Sharon Williams
The family's solicitor, Sharon Williams from law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the blunder only became apparent when the family's funeral director came to pick up the body.The family's solicitor, Sharon Williams from law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the blunder only became apparent when the family's funeral director came to pick up the body.
He was turned away by mortuary staff, and the following day a hospital representative called at the family's home and admitted the error.He was turned away by mortuary staff, and the following day a hospital representative called at the family's home and admitted the error.
"They are absolutely devastated," Ms Williams said."They are absolutely devastated," Ms Williams said.
"They are desperate to know how this kind of thing could have happened and to prevent it from happening again.""They are desperate to know how this kind of thing could have happened and to prevent it from happening again."
No information has been released about the other family involved in the mix-up.No information has been released about the other family involved in the mix-up.
Protocol failureProtocol failure
It is understood a body must be identified by the mortuary official and the undertaker when it leaves the morgue.It is understood a body must be identified by the mortuary official and the undertaker when it leaves the morgue.
A tag with the deceased's personal details is usually attached to the body's wrist.A tag with the deceased's personal details is usually attached to the body's wrist.
The hospital has confirmed an investigation is taking place and a member of staff has been suspended.The hospital has confirmed an investigation is taking place and a member of staff has been suspended.
A Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "This is the first time an incident of this type has occurred at the hospital.A Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "This is the first time an incident of this type has occurred at the hospital.
"This incident occurred in spite of the fact that mortuary procedures at the hospital conform to nationally defined standards, have recently been overhauled and are subject to periodic audit."This incident occurred in spite of the fact that mortuary procedures at the hospital conform to nationally defined standards, have recently been overhauled and are subject to periodic audit.
"Initial investigations identified a failure to follow the identification protocol within the mortuary at the time the funeral director collected the body of the deceased patient.""Initial investigations identified a failure to follow the identification protocol within the mortuary at the time the funeral director collected the body of the deceased patient."
The Human Tissue Authority, which sets standards for mortuaries, said it had been notified of the incident and had requested a copy of the hospital's investigation report.