Post mortem delays leave families waiting on loved ones' remains

Situation can be 'chaotic' when trying to plan a funeral

The issue was raised in the Dáil by Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae who said he personally knew of three families who have been affected by delays in organising their loved ones’ funerals. 

Families in Kerry have been left waiting for up to a week to get their loved ones’ remains back because of post mortem delays.

Funeral directors in the area have confirmed to the Irish Examiner that there have been a number of cases in recent months where there have been delays in funerals of people who have died suddenly because of delays in post mortem examinations.

One funeral director said that at times, the situation can be “chaotic” for families trying to plan a funeral because of a delay in post mortems, adding: “We have to wait for somebody to come from Cork to do it.” 

The director also said that that the delays can cause extra stress to a family who are already coping with the suddenness of their loved one’s unexplained death," the said. “Coming into this time of the year, we don’t know how we will be fixed because obviously people will be going on holidays.” 

Another said he had a case in recent weeks where a funeral was delayed by almost a week because of a delay in the post mortem.

The issue was raised in the Dáil by Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae who said he personally knew of three families who have been affected by delays in organising their loved ones’ funerals. 

He said delays in those cases ranged from six to nine days.

“It is not acceptable that families have to wait up to nine days for a post mortem and up to 11 days to have the funeral concluded," he said. "They just want to get the remains home. Death comes suddenly, with no notice. When a body is taken to the morgue in Tralee, all the family wants is for the post mortem to be concluded, the remains returned and to have a dignified funeral, with their friends around them to help them grieve. It is a natural process.” 

Minister of State Colm Burke said the HSE has advised that “the pathology service in University Hospital Kerry is supported as required on a regional basis by consultants based in Cork University Hospital”.

He added: “The role of hospital-based histopathology consultants cannot be understated. Their work in conducting post mortem examinations in non-suspicious deaths provides closure to families and valuable insights to healthcare professionals. 

"It is a critical part of our healthcare system. We are committed to supporting the consultants in their work. The regional support provided by consultants based in Cork University Hospital to the pathology service in University Hospital Kerry is an example of our integrated approach to healthcare."

He said that “if there was a delay, then I extend my sympathies to the families. It obviously should not be occurring". 

Earlier this year, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that she is aware of the increasing challenges in securing histopathologists to carry out coroner-directed post mortem examinations.