Family appalled after funeral directors 'failed to embalm' uncle's body

This article contains details which some readers may find distressing

A grieving family has told how the funeral home they entrusted with their uncle’s body failed to prepare it in line with his final wishes.

A Milne Funeral Independent Funeral Directors is being investigated by Police Scotland over alleged financial misconduct and handling of human remains.

Others claim they have been unable to track down money paid into funeral plans.

Forensics officers were seen going into a branch of A Milne Funeral Directors in Springburn, Glasgow, after several families reported allegations of ashes going missing, and financial misconduct.STV News

When Klair Sloss’ uncle David Breslin died she turned to a funeral home her family had previously used and trusted – A Milne Independent Funeral Directors.

“When my pappa had passed away four years ago we had a good experience with them then so when my uncle passed away in March we thought right we will go with them,” she told STV News.

“We spoke about costs and we paid them £3,850. We said how we wanted my uncle embalmed, how he wanted a catholic service and how we wanted him cremated at Cardoss.”

But instead of everything going to plan at a difficult time – Ms Sloss and her family say they’ve been through a nightmare.

When Klair Sloss' uncle David died she turned to a funeral home her family had previously used and trusted - A Milne Independent Funeral Directors — When Klair Sloss’ uncle David died she turned to a funeral home her family had previously used and trusted – A Milne Independent Funeral Directors Supplied

Despite having paid more than £3,000, when they were asked to change the date at short notice Ms Sloss decided to change funeral directors.

“We moved to Glen’s Funeral parlour in Alexandria, at very, very short notice, we nearly ended up with no flowers or anything,” Ms Sloss said.

When she told A Milne Funeral Directors she wanted a refund, the firm said the family would not get the money back and were only entitled to half – £1,250.

“We had also asked for my uncle to be embalmed and things – he hadnt been embalmed, his was discoloured, his lips and things werent how they should have been,” she told STV News.

“It was horrible, it just felt like it was my fault, I had failed him, I had done it, I know it wasnt my fault but it sitll made me feel like it was my fault.”

Police have launched a probe into the former funeral directors’ after several families reported allegations of ashes going missing, and financial misconduct.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An investigation is ongoing into to the conduct of a former funeral company that had branches in Glasgow and Dumbarton with regard to the storage/return of cremated remains and allegations of financial misconduct.

“Inquiries are at an early stage.”

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has received a number of complaints from families which its professional standards committee has scrutinised.

A spokeswoman for the NAFD said: “The firm appears to have stopped corresponding with us, however, they have been formally notified that they will be considered by the NAFD disciplinary committee at a meeting in May, where the ultimate sanction we have at our disposal is removal from membership.”

A Milne Funeral Directors has been approached for comment.