Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Aug 16: In an unsettling mix-up at a palliative care center in Palluruthy, Kochi, two bodies were mistakenly swapped, resulting in the burial of the wrong man and a subsequent police-supervised exhumation to correct the error.

The incident involved Antony, from Kumbalangi, and Peter, a resident of Palluruthy, both belonging to Kochi city. According to Palluruthy police, who have jurisdiction over the area, the bodies were accidentally interchanged, causing Antony to be buried prematurely while Peter’s remains stayed in storage.

Antony’s body had been stored in cold storage awaiting the arrival of relatives from abroad who were unable to return immediately. Peter’s body was kept alongside him. On Thursday, Peter’s family collected a body they believed to be his and proceeded with the funeral rites at a nearby church. Due to limited space and lack of facilities, the last rites took place at the church itself, without a public viewing.

The error surfaced the next day when Antony’s family returned from overseas and discovered that their loved one had already been buried, while Peter’s body was still in cold storage. Staff at the palliative care center and local villagers quickly informed the church authorities and both families.

Following discussions, it was agreed to exhume Antony’s body from the grave under police and church supervision. Antony’s remains were then transported to Kumbalangi for proper funeral ceremonies. Peter’s family subsequently buried his body at the Palluruthy church after resolving the confusion.

No complaints have been filed, and authorities have confirmed that no criminal offense occurred during the mix-up. However, the incident has ignited concerns among locals regarding the lack of stringent identification and verification procedures at palliative care centers and mortuaries.

Community members are now calling for stricter protocols to ensure that grieving families are spared from such traumatic mistakes in the future.