A HUSBAND received the shock of a lifetime at his wife's funeral when he was told her grave had not been dug.

The funeral and burial for 76-year-old Valerie Fish, from Brighton, was due to take place on Thursday, July 8.

As loved ones prepared to say their final farewell to Valerie at St Josephs Church in Elm Grove, her husband David, of Mayflower Square, received a surprise phone call from Co-op Funeralcare.

He said the funeral directors informed him the grave had not been dug in time for the burial at Woodingdean Lawn Memorial Park and the burial would need to be postponed.

As a result, the burial was pushed back 24 hours.

David told The Argus that Co-op Funeralcare had cited an “error”, having not informed the grave diggers in sufficient time.

“To me that’s disgraceful. They had over a week,” he said.

“It’s totally disgusting. It should never have happened.”

The couple had been married for 24 years, having met in Brighton 25 years ago.

A Co-op Funeralcare spokeswoman said the company prides itself on treating bereaved families and their loved ones with “the highest levels of care”.

“We are extremely sorry that on this occasion, these high standards have not been met and an urgent investigation has been launched,” she said.

“We remain in close contact with the family and will continue to support them as the matter progresses."

A guest at the funeral, who wished to remain anonymous, said the coffin was taken back to the Co-op Funeralcare site in London Road, while mourners went to a local pub.

The close friend of Valerie said David was only given 40 minutes notice that the grave was not dug.

The Argus: The funeral was due to take place on Thursday, July 8The funeral was due to take place on Thursday, July 8

“We had the church service, then had to go to the pub for the wake because she now wasn’t getting buried until the next day,” she said. “For the wake, the pub wasn’t expecting anybody that early.

“We had to knock on the door – we looked like a load of drunks waiting to be let in. That was more expense as we were buying drinks and the poor bar lady had to rush around for us.

“Then the next day we had to go to the cemetery, which was very traumatic.”

The friend said the following day, the group retraced their steps and finally laid their friend to rest, but the experienced was already tarnished.

“It was the most awful thing ever,” she said. “We were all in shock. With all the restrictions and everything, this just makes it all worse.

“One minute you’re going to a funeral then the next you’re told there’s no burial.

“We’ve ended up having to go through two funerals.”

The friend said she believes a dedicated bench or plaque on her grave in honour of Valerie would act as both an apology and a tribute.