Families waiting for closure year into funeral director investigation

Families say they are still waiting for closure one year into an investigation of a funeral director in the west of Scotland.

The criminal probe into A Milne Independent Funeral Directors, named Operation Koine, began following allegations of ashes going missing, families being given the wrong remains and financial misconduct in May 2024.

Forensic teams searched the Springburn premises for 11 days after officers raided the business.

At the time, Glasgow City Council confirmed that 19 urns were recovered during the police search of the premises on Balornock Road in the Springburn area of the city, days after eight urns were handed over to Argyll and Bute Council.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) later permanently excluded the family-run business from the association.

Bernadette Weir entrusted the funeral home with the care of her husband following his sudden death in March last year.

The funeral directors have been accused of financial mismanagement. STV News

She says she paid A Milne Funeral Directors a £1,400 deposit, however, she asked a second funeral parlour due to what she deemed as a lack of care for her partner.

Mrs Weir says she chased the company for a full refund but has only received £740. A year after the investigation began, she says the ordeal still feels very raw.

She told STV News: “I’ve never got the rest of my money back.

“I’m trying to move on with my life but it’s still upsetting when I think about it.

“There will be no closure until the investigation is over. We have never had any apology about what happened us.

“I just feel like we have been left in the dark.”

Klair Sloss turned to the funeral home after her uncle David Breslin died. They paid more than £3,000 to the parlour, but decided to change providers at short notice due to the lack of care shown.

Despite demanding a full refund she says she has only ever received £1,250. Ms Sloss has said she doesn’t expect to see the rest of her money and feels there is still a sense of “injustice”.

She told STV News: “I know that I will never receive the money I gave them back. It was quite a significant amount of money.

“I doubt anyone who gave them money for funeral care will ever get it back. There is still no closure for any of us.

“This affected so many families.”

A 55-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man were arrested in July 2024. Another woman, aged 37, was arrested a month later.

All three were released pending further investigation.

Police Scotland says the “large and complex” probe is still ongoing and confirmed “numerous” interviews have been conducted regarding the “sensitive and emotive” case.

Detective sergeant Kieran Bewick said: “This is a large and complex enquiry with extensive investigations being conducted with numerous witnesses.

“I would like to thank the public for their assistance so far. Our enquiries into this sensitive and emotive case remain ongoing and I would encourage anyone with any information on this case to contact us.

“Anyone wishing to get in touch with officers is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1289 of May 2, 2024 or use the dedicated email address – Operationkoine@scotland.police.uk.”