My loss was huge

I LOST my husband of 57 years on March 7 at 6.30am. I was alone at the time, so I rang the doctor. Paramedics arrived and confirmed death before telling me that I needed to call the undertaker immediately.

In my shocked state I did not want to let my husband go to strangers, but thought that it was the law. I wanted to spend time with him, talk to him and wash and dress him as I had done for the past eight years.

He was collected at 1pm by the funeral directors and I never saw him again.

As it turned out his funeral was delayed for three weeks because the undertakers were busy. The anguish I suffered in that time was souldestroying. Thinking of him alone and strangers washing and dressing him was too much to bear.

I didn’t realise at the time that there was another choice, and I am sure that if I had kept my husband’s body with me for a while longer, it would have helped me cope better, as it did Russell Davison (Femail).

Having that last chance to spend precious time with your loved one and talk to them gives greater understanding and comfort in your own life after a bereavement.

ANN OSBORNE, Bristol.