An investigation has been launched by a Glasgow hospital after an error led to the wrong body being cremated.
The mistaken release of the body by the hospital to the undertakers was only discovered after the funeral service and the cremation had taken place.
The error also meant another family were prevented from having their relative’s remains at their funeral.
NHS bosses have apologised to the two families affected by the mistake at Queen Elizabeth university hospital in Glasgow, the largest hospital in Scotland.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs the hospital, said the incident was a result of human error after admitting that procedures for identifying and labelling bodies before transfer from the mortuary had not been followed.
A full investigation has been launched into the incident, reported to have taken place last month. Meanwhile, the staff involved have been suspended.
Dr Scott Davidson, medical director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, offered “sincere apologies” to both families.
“We have very rigorous processes for the identification and labelling of bodies from arrival in our mortuaries until their release into the care of an undertaker,” he said.
“It is of deep regret that these processes have not been adhered to on this occasion, and that as a result two families have been caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time.
“We launched an immediate investigation into this incident and will ensure that learning is applied.”
Queen Elizabeth university hospital is subject to a public inquiry after a series of infection outbreaks and concerns about water and ventilation systems emerged just three years after it was built in 2015.
In September, Jane Grant, who led the board between 2017 and 2025, faced questions about the hospital’s communication with families and patients.
