A widow, Jackie Barnes, has taken the ashes of her late husband, Danny, from her home amid concerns that they may not belong to him. This decision comes after experiencing a previous mix-up by E Milne Independent Funeral Directors, where her mother’s ashes were mistakenly mixed with those of a stranger. Jackie, from Dumbarton, Scotland, had unknowingly scattered what she thought were her mother’s ashes next to her father’s, only to later learn of the error.
The emotional turmoil caused by these events has left Jackie questioning the authenticity of the urn containing her husband’s ashes. Seeking closure and peace of mind, she decided to remove the ashes from her residence. Jackie expressed her distress, saying, “Danny and I were together for 30 years, and I had hoped that keeping his ashes at home would bring comfort. However, the mix-up with my mother’s ashes shattered my trust in the funeral company.”
In the aftermath of the E Milne scandal, Jackie found it distressing to look at the urn, unsure if it truly held Danny’s remains. She shared her struggle, stating, “I was left with doubts about whether the ashes belonged to my husband or another individual.”
Following a discussion with a family member, Jackie chose to consider the ashes as belonging to Danny. She disclosed that she scattered the ashes at a cemetery in an attempt to find peace within herself, though it has been a challenging journey.
The investigation into the funeral care scandal led to the discovery of 18 sets of ashes, with five yet to be identified. Police in Scotland have initiated an extensive inquiry, addressing over 70 affected individuals in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire. Two women, aged 37 and 55, along with a 56-year-old man, were arrested in connection with the case and later released pending further investigation. Jackie expressed her hope for accountability, stating, “I trust that those responsible will face justice.”