Dropping coffins and falling into graves among funeral accidents

Safety must be priority for staff

- BY MATTHEW DAVIS

ONE undertaker toppled into an open grave and another got trapped beneath a body in a grim year of injuries among those looking after the recently departed.

The toll has been revealed by the accident logs of organisations working in the industry.

All resulted in hospital treatment or extended time off work — leading to reports being sent to the Health and Safety Executive.

Many cases came as funeral workers struggled to move bodies or coffins, or to conduct burials in difficult conditions, while respecting the dignity of the deceased.

Meanwhile, in homes and hospitals, staff hurt themselves carrying bodies down stairs or into hearses and mortuary storage, or manoeuvring coffins through tight spaces.