An MP who called for an inquiry into the Wingate grave blunder which saw a family spend 17 years visiting their dad’s grave only to discover someone else was buried there has welcomed the publication of the review.
The Bell family only discovered the shocking blunder after the death of their mum Hilda whose last wishes were to be buried alongside her husband Thomas Bell.
In July Easington MP Graham Morris called for a full investigation into the error to find out how it had happened in the first place.
Read more: Investigation into Wingate grave mix-up finds 'perfect storm' that led to blunder
A report into the distressing mix-up published this weekend concluded a ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances were to blame.
Now Grahame Morris MP has welcomed the conclusion of the review which includes a series of ‘useful’ recommendations to ensure it does not happen again.
Mr Morris said: “I welcome the review by the Diocese and the recommendations that conclude the report. My deepest sympathy remains with the Bell family. I want to thank Bell family for participating in the review, and for ensuring no other families go through what they experienced.
“The move to digital record keeping, greater oversight, and photographing the plot, neighbouring plots and general location as part of the graveyard record should provide sufficient information to correctly locate graves and place headstones.
“I know this experience has taken a great toll on everyone involved, and I would like thank the Bell family, Cannon Grieve, and gravedigger Mr Davies. I also acknowledge the role of Archdeacon Cooper in commissioning the review and arriving at these very helpful recommendations.
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“I will remain available to the family and will support the Church any way I can to ensure the recommendations identified in the report are actioned at the earliest opportunity.
The report, written by Archdeacon of Sunderland Bob Cooper, recommended all parishes carry out a review of their record keeping procedures and implement new protocols for burials.
These would include storing all grave records electronically, marking graves immediately after burials and photographing their location.
Grahame Morris previously made calls in the House of Commons for improvements to be made to burial records following the Bell family’s experience.
He also expressed concerns that the Holy Trinity Church Wingate error may be just the ‘tip of the ice berg’ after The Northern Echo revealed a series of shocking burial errors in the North East in the last ten years.
The Durham Diocese said it would not be commenting further on the findings of its investigation.
Over the weekend the Bell family said they had been left with ‘more questions than answers’ following the publication of the report, saying they don’t feel ‘any further forward’ and that ‘no one seems to be accepting any blame'.
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