A brother has taken legal action against his two older siblings after their mother's body remained unburied for four years due to a dispute over her death in hospital from COVID-19.
Laura Collins, 77, died in 2022 at Charing Cross Hospital after being on a ventilator for six months. Following her death, her eldest son Godfrey, 59, and his sister Joan, 57, allegedly blamed hospital staff for their mother's death. This led to a prolonged delay in funeral arrangements, with the younger siblings reportedly being informed of a potential prosecution case against the hospital and a pending inquest, neither of which materialized.
As a result, Mrs. Collins' body was left in the care of an undertaker for nearly four years, accumulating storage fees of approximately £5,500 and continuing to accrue charges at a rate of £20 per day. The situation was compounded by the fact that Mrs. Collins died without a will.
Legal Resolution
Middle son Michael Collins, 49, supported by his siblings Cheryl and Clint, initiated legal proceedings at London's High Court. A judge, Chief Chancery Master Karen Shuman, has now appointed Michael as the administrator of his mother's £725,000 estate, granting him the authority to arrange the funeral and distribute the assets among the five siblings.
"There must be one person in charge to allow the family to come together as far as possible in dignity," the judge stated, adding, "The deceased can now be laid to rest with dignity. That is what ordinary humanity now demands."
Master Shuman noted the unusual and troubling aspect of the case, highlighting that nearly four years had passed since the death with no funeral arrangements made. "The body remains in storage. That situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue," she remarked. The judge found that the delay was primarily caused by Joan and Godfrey, resulting in a stalemate that caused indignity to the deceased and suffering for the family.
Family Background and Dispute
Mrs. Collins, originally from Grenada, moved to London in the 1960s and raised her five children while working in the healthcare sector. According to the judge, Godfrey and Joan "were unable to accept that the death of the deceased was not the fault of the hospital caring for her." The possibility of repatriating Mrs. Collins' body to Grenada was also raised as an additional complication.
Michael Collins testified in court that he had been "messed about" by his older siblings, who he claimed were inconsistent in their responses and continuously changed their position. He stated that he had to pursue legal action because "they wouldn't confirm anything and kept on moving the goalposts."
Court Order and Future Arrangements
The court heard that all five siblings held an equal claim to their mother's estate, which includes a property valued at £725,000. In appointing Michael as the sole administrator, Master Shuman ordered that the body be buried in a Catholic graveyard in London, with the specific church to be chosen by Michael. He will fund the funeral and be reimbursed from the estate. Michael is also tasked with paying the accumulated storage fees, which he can reclaim from Joan and Godfrey's share of the estate. The legal costs of £53,332 will also be covered by the older siblings' portion of the estate if not paid upfront.
In a statement following the court's decision, the younger siblings expressed gratitude to their legal team and stated that Mrs. Collins was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who had worked hard to raise her family in London. They also highlighted her love for music, baking, and her "God-fearing" nature, noting she enjoyed soca and calypso music.