A family had to organise a second funeral for their loved one after they were accidentally given the wrong body for cremation.
The incident took place at The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran in South Wales.
After the body was collected from the morgue at the hospital, it was later transferred to the Sirhowy Valley Crematorium.
Advert
The Aneurin Bevan Health Board have since apologised for the error.
The health board later acknowledged the mistake and the family were forced to hold another funeral two weeks later.
The mistake was put 'down to an isolated human error' - with the board saying they are issuing their 'full support' to the family.
Advert
Nicola Prygodzicz, chief executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said in a statement to South Wales Argus: “We are utterly heartbroken about what has happened to the family and we take responsibility for this isolated incident.
"Words cannot express how sorry we are.
"We have met with the family to fully inform them about this situation and to offer them as much support as they need."
Adding: “We would also like to reassure the public that this is an exceptional case.
Advert
"We identified this mistake through our own processes and after an initial review we are confident that this is down to an isolated human error.
"However, we are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and we will keep family members fully updated throughout our investigation.
“No words we can say, or actions we can take, can put this right. We are deeply sorry, and our thoughts and full support remain with the family.”
Advert
According to Prygodzicz, it was the health board who had initially discovered the mistake.
In regards to the first deceased person, she said that 'there are no known family of the other patient' as far as the health board is aware.
The matter is being currently being investigated internally by the health board.
A spokesperson for the crematorium, which is part of Westerleigh Group, also told the outlet: “We pride ourselves on providing exceptional care and support to all families we serve and as such we treat their right to privacy incredibly seriously.
Advert
"We do not have permission to provide any comments without the consent of families."
This comes after MP David Davies accused the Welsh Government of ignoring 'massive organisational problems' at The Grange University Hospital.
According to Davies, his elderly father-in-law was left waiting nearly 27 hours to be admitted to The Grange with a spinal injury.
“I witnessed first-hand the delays in getting patients off ambulances and into The Grange." he claimed on his website.
"Of course, the situation is no fault of our first-class health professionals or paramedics – but rather systematic failures.
"We are being let down by those in charge."
LADbible has contacted Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for further comment.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images