Mourning family left distraught after being shown wrong funeral service – The Sun

A MOURNING family expecting to watch the funeral of a loved one online were shown the wrong service.

Relatives of Mary Cullen, 93, were given a code to access a live webcast as they could not attend in the lockdown.

But when they logged in they saw someone playing a guitar for “Terri”.

Mary’s daughter Margaret Swift said the mix-up at Exeter crematorium in Devon “is unforgivable”

Mary, 93, died of old age at her home in the Brooklands housing a complex in Dawlish, Devon on March 30.

Like many families holding funeral services during lockdown restrictions her daughter, Margaret Swift, knew that her wider family wouldn't be able to attend so it was a pleasant surprise when the crematorium told her the service would be broadcast live.

"We were so pleased as many relatives live in the north and wouldn't be allowed to travel down," she said.

"We were especially glad for Mary's brother Andy. He is 87 and was upset at not being able to attend."

'THEY WERE UNCARING'

The video streaming service at Exeter crematorium is managed by an external company, Wesley Media, based in Kettering.

To view a service the family is given an access code and password to log in.

Margaret said: " I had so many texts and messages saying they couldn't see mum's funeral."

As Mary's funeral began, family members, who were gathered around monitors to see the proceedings, immediately contacted Wesley Media who said their staff could see the service and the family must have entered the wrong entry codes.

Margaret explained: "They said, 'our team are watching Mary's funeral so contact the person who sent you the correct log in details.'

"That wasn't the case. We later checked with the crematorium and they confirmed we were inputting the right numbers and password – the ones we'd been given."

Margaret added: "I feel Wesley Media were unsympathetic to say the least. Their attitude was not what you'd expect. They were uncaring and not really interested."

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