A report into the shocking blunder which saw a County Durham family visit someone else in their dad’s grave for 17 years has uncovered a ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances which led to the mix-up.

In July The Northern Echo exposed how the Bell family discovered they had been visiting the wrong grave after the death of mum Hilda, whose last wishes were to be buried alongside her doting husband Thomas.

Thomas and Hilda’s relatives endured a painful six week wait to bury their mum while gravediggers dug up 11 plots and uncovered several errors at Holy Trinity Church, Wingate in finding their father’s resting place.

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Now a report into the distressing blunder has described a ‘perfect storm’ of errors which led to the mistake happening.

The Northern Echo: Eleven graves were dug up at Holy Trinity Church Wingate before Thomas Bell's resting place, covered here by wooden boards, was finally discovered.Eleven graves were dug up at Holy Trinity Church Wingate before Thomas Bell's resting place, covered here by wooden boards, was finally discovered. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

It identified ‘insufficient process’ and ‘poor record keeping’ when Thomas Bell was buried in 2005 which led to his headstone being placed on the wrong grave.

No marker was placed on Thomas’ grave following his burial, nor did anyone from the church attend while his gravestone was put in place to make sure it was in the correct place.

Former Reverend Martin Vaizey, who retired in 2007, also ‘did not keep records to the extent that would be considered best practice’.

The month-long investigation conducted by Archdeacon of Sunderland Bob Cooper said that while ‘it cannot be guaranteed historic cases like this will not reoccur’ there was a series of lessons to be learned.

The Durham Diocese has now recommended all parishes carry out a review of their record keeping procedures, and implement new protocols for burials.

The Northern Echo: A report into the shocking grave blunder at Holy Trinity Church Wingate has now been released.A report into the shocking grave blunder at Holy Trinity Church Wingate has now been released. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The report also said all grave records should be stored electronically, and graves marked immediately after burials with photographs taken to record their location.

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The Durham Diocese said it would not be commenting further on the findings of its investigation.

Gravedigger John Davies, who uncovered the shocking error when he went to prepare Hilda’s grave, was praised in the report for his efforts in finding Thomas Bell’s resting place.

Thomas was eventually found to have been buried just two meters away from where his family believed he had been buried for 17 years and Hilda was finally buried alongside her husband in a burial service on August 12, almost two months after her June 16 death.

The Northern Echo: Hilda was finally buried with her husband on August 12 as her family and friends gathered for a graveside service.Hilda was finally buried with her husband on August 12 as her family and friends gathered for a graveside service. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

In September the Bell family received an apology in the House of Commons from Conservative MP Andrew Selous, who acts as the Second Church Estates Commissioner.

Mr Selous told the Commons: “This has been a deeply troubling time for the Bell family and I’d like to pass on my heartfelt apologies for what has happened.”

In October an exclusive Northern Echo investigation discovered that seven more North East families had endured disturbing mix-ups in burying their loved ones, including a loved one who was buried where a footpath was due to go.

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