Two sacked after cremating wrong body
Co-Operative Funeralcare has admitted cremating the wrong body at a service held in Gateshead last month.
It meant that a second family had to attend a service without their relative's body at all after the company made the mistake at Birtley Crematorium.
The Co-Op says that it has sacked two members of staff, after finding that they had breached procedures.
More top news
Newcastle offer backing to Pardew
Newcastle United have released a statement ending speculation over Alan Pardew's future as manager
Work underway to transform Auckland Castle
Owners hoping County Durham site will become world-class visitor attraction
Report highlights police failings in recapturing killer
A report says that police had "too low a level of urgency" in recapturing a convicted killer who escaped from a Newcastle hospital