Board looks into allegations bodies switched at N.S. funeral home
HALIFAX — The family of a woman who was mistakenly cremated after a bizarre mix-up at a Nova Scotia funeral home declined to participate in an inquiry Tuesday, saying the process lacks transparency and is geared to help the industry.
The Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors held a closed-door hearing in Halifax to determine what happened at the Serenity Funeral Home in Berwick in December.
Relatives of Sandra Bennett say they arrived at the home on Dec. 27 for a visitation but found the body of another woman dressed in Bennett’s clothing in the casket. They say a second body was presented to them, but again it was not their 65-year-old relative and they were told Bennett was mistakenly cremated.
Adam Tipert of the funeral directors board said its findings could lead to changes affecting other funeral homes in the province. Serenity Funeral Home has not responded to requests for comment.