In an article on The Guardian, a women describes her mother’s abusive boyfriend and the impact on her and her mother’s life. Ultimately, her mother dies – it’s unclear whether the boyfriend is directly responsible – and then the interesting stuff begins.
This wasn’t my first time at the death rodeo, and this time it was a race. I knew that the first one to the council offices to register the death gets the little piece of green paper that gives permission to take the body. I had to get there before him. I ran all the way to the tube station, arrived at the council office minutes before 5pm and cried my way in. I was gasping and sweating but I got the green paper. I beat him. I won.
Naomi Westerman, When my mother died, I thought her violent boyfriend had won. But she had secretly taken back control, The Guardian, 13-July-2024
So if I understand correctly, in England, whomever registers a death first gets control over the deceased body? I won’t believe that it is that easy, assume that it’s got to be next-of-kin or legal guardian or something else: otherwise, what prevents a stranger from registering a random person’s death and then demanding payment before releasing the body? Essentially a new form of ransomware.
Both depressing and redeeming, the article is worth a read. But still shaking my head, surprised there aren’t more ambulance chasers in England.
Image Credit
Courtesy of Naomi Westerman from The Guardian
