New arrangements for burials at sea will begin on 1 October in a move to end the anguish for families and friends of missing relatives.
A successful campaign led by Isle of Wight Coroner, Mrs Caroline Sumeray and supported by MP Bob Seely means DNA will now have to be taken from the deceased before burials at sea can be permitted. This means that any remains washed ashore can be quickly identified - reducing the distress caused to those with missing loved ones when unidentified human remains of those buried at sea are washed ashore.
As well as saving the emotional stress for families of missing people, Mr Seely said DNA sampling would save time for police and coroners when body parts were washed up around the UK, because they could quickly identify where those body parts came from.
He said: “What this change means is that DNA taken prior to burial at sea will make it quicker to identify the body or body parts of someone washed up, meaning less heartbreak and worry for those families with missing relatives who may be asked on multiple occasions to provide DNA samples in the hope - or fear - that their relative may have been found.”
Valerie Nettles, who is the mother of missing Islander Damien Nettles, said she was thrilled to hear the news.
She said: “I am very pleased indeed to know there will now be a system in place to establish which remains are burials at sea from other remains frequently washed up along the coast. It will reassure families like ours with a loved one who is missing to know remains have not been overlooked.”
Bob said: “I have had the pleasure of speaking to Valerie on a number of occasions, and she told me that such a move would be welcome. It was her case above all that made me realise we needed to do more to help families with missing but much-loved members.
“I hope that in some small way this will help families such as the Nettles.”
