Dead mum and daughter's bodies to be exhumed after coffin resurfaces from grave

Dead mum and daughter's bodies to be exhumed after coffin resurfaces from grave

The remains of a mum and daughter are to be exhumed after the younger woman's coffin started to resurface from their shared grave. The chilling phenomenon happened at St Nicholas churchyard at Codsall, near Wolverhampton, as the mum Brenda Owen’s coffin had not been buried deep enough.As a result, her daughter Angela’s coffin was only covered by around a foot of soil when it was buried on top.It began to resurface as soil settled in the grave.Exhumation is only allowed in “exceptional” circumstances. However, Stephen Eyre, a judge from the Church of England's Consistory Court and chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield, has revealed why he has allowed the coffins to be dug up and properly reburied. Chancellor Eyre said permission had been sought for the lifting and lowering of both coffins, but the sandy soil led to fears that nearby graves could collapse. He said: “Understandably this has been deeply distressing for her family, even though as a temporary measure the coffin has been covered by further soil, It would be perfectly practicable to remove Angela Owen’s coffin while leaving that of Brenda Owen in place."