After waiting years, families receive loved ones’ missing ashes

FAMILIES are finally receiving the ashes of their loved ones held by a scandal-hit undertaker – with one woman receiving her father’s ashes years after his death.

A Milne Independent Funeral Directors became embroiled in controversy over allegations of financial misconduct and how they dealt with people’s remains amid claims hundreds could be caught up in the scandal.

Police officers have raided their office in Glasgow and are now in the process of returning ashes that were found in the property, with eight containers being sent to Cardross Crematorium for loved ones to collect.

One of those to receive the ashes was Annie Stevenson whose father Derek died in January 2021. She is only now able to collect his ashes more than three years later.

The 39-year-old told of her delight at getting the news, but said she was ‘outraged and disgusted’ by A Milne Independent Funeral Directors.

‘It’s a shame it has come to this’

She said: ‘I know it sounds silly but I was like a kid at Christmas, knowing that my dad is coming home. It’s just a shame it has come to this and everybody has had to go through all this.’

In a letter, Ms Stevenson was told by Argyll and Bute Council: ‘Following a recent investigation by Police Scotland, a container of ashes was discovered on the premises of A Milne Funeral Directors, 14A Balornock Road, Glasgow.

‘I am very sorry to inform you that the container contains the ashes of the late Derek Stevenson, who was cremated at Cardross Crematorium on the 28th January 2021.’

The letter came after Police Scotland last week concluded their 12 day search of A Milne’s Glasgow branch as part of their investigation into the undertaker. Between May 3 and May 14 officers, including specialist search teams, carried out an intricate examination of the premises.

A Milne was approached for comment.