Grimsby woman’s warning after unattended cremation experience

A woman from Grimsby says her family were left “devastated” after discovering her mum had arranged an unattended cremation, without them fully understanding what it meant.

Carla Linford says she initially believed she was calling an insurance plan after her mum died, before being told arrangements were already in place.

“I didn’t even know this was something that happened,” she said.

“My mum’s body wasn’t handled well… we’ve handled furniture more gently, and she was literally bumped out of her home downstairs.”

The family later made the decision to change the plans, after reflecting on conversations they’d had with her mum before she died.

“It became clear that an unattended funeral wasn’t something that she actually wanted,” she said.

“She’d told us about songs that she wanted at her service… flowers that she’d like.”

Carla believes her mum may have chosen the option because she didn’t want to be a burden.

“She was worried that she’d be a burden… she didn’t want to cause anyone any trouble.”

New research suggests nearly one in five people regret choosing an unattended cremation, and Carla says clearer conversations could help prevent that.

“Discuss it with your family,” she said.

“Had she actually told us that it was an unattended… none of us wanted that.”

She says having a service made a crucial difference to how her family were able to grieve.

“Funerals hold real value… the ceremony and the ritual of saying goodbye, I think it’s vital to a lot of people to grieve.”