Halved post-mortem services in south east delaying funerals, priest warns

Priest describes funeral delays and added distress for bereaved families following reduced coronial post-mortem services in Waterford

Fr Michael Toomey, who is based in Ardfinnan in Tipperary, outlined how it took a week from the date of death to the funeral of one of his parishioners who had died suddenly. Picture: Larry Cummins

The halving of pathology services for post-mortem examinations in the south east is delaying funerals and making grief even more difficult for families, a priest has warned.

Since January 2, pathology services for coroner-directed post-mortem examinations are being provided three days a week by locum pathologists who travel from the UK.