Grieving husband will finally be able to scatter his wife’s ashes
THE boss of a Chaddesden charity has finally got his wife’s ashes back six months after the funeral, thanks to the Derby Telegraph.
Rob Shade missed out on a Government payout for his wife’s funeral because he was not technically on benefits at the time.
Before his 45-year-old wife Carole-Anne died, all the family’s benefits were in her name. It was during the process of putting everything in Mr Shade’s name that welfare bosses mistakenly believed he was not in receipt of any benefits.
And because he could only afford to pay for half of the bill, the funeral director he used told him he could not pick up his wife’s ashes until it was settled.
But, since the Derby Telegraph published a story about Mr Shade’s situation, the Department for Work and Pensions has reversed its decision and paid out a lump sum.
And even before it had received the full payment the funeral director contacted Mr Shade and told him he could pick up his wife’s ashes as soon as he liked.
Mr Shade, 49, said: “I cannot put into words what this means.
“It wouldn’t have happened without Derbyshire Live and the DWP. It has been a bit weird, really, but it’s obviously amazing to get her back.”
Mr Shade now plans to scatter the ashes near Pooley Bridge, at the northern end of Lake Ullswater in the Lake District.
He runs Aspire Wrestling Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation based in Cornwall Road, Chaddesden. He pays himself a £100 per week salary and tops it up with Universal Credit payments. He has two sons, Aaron and Liam, who both have learning difficulties and other needs.
Mr Shade was offered the opportunity to appeal against the DWP’s original decision but he said he was too grief-stricken, and weighed down with family commitments to go through the process.
A spokeswoman for the DWP said: “When Mr Shade first applied for help with funeral costs he wasn’t receiving any benefits and was therefore ineligible.
“As he is now receiving Universal Credit, we are able to contribute towards the cost of his wife’s funeral and help him get his wife’s ashes released to him. We apologise for any confusion caused at this difficult time.”
A Gofundme page, which was set up to help pay for Mr Shade’s funeral bill, will make up the shortfall not covered by the DWP’s lump payment.