Undertakers told funding will increase for tragedy call-outs

The victim of a road traffic accident was left on the side of the road for four hours because of the difficulty in locating a funeral undertaker to remove the body – simply because they are not being paid enough to provide such a service.

But now undertakers in Galway have been told that there will be additional funding available to compensate them when they are called out in the event of tragic deaths taking place.

There had been concerns that there would be no undertaker available in the event of a tragic death taking place in County Galway – because of the pittance they were being paid for the call-out.

But it has been confirmed that the payments being made to funeral directors who are being called out in such circumstances is the subject of a review. Director of Services Michael Owens indicated that there may be additional funding for undertakers who are called out to tragic incidents or unexplained deaths. However, he did not indicate the amount involved.

Undertaker Cllr Frank Kearney from Turloughmore said that he had experienced a situation in which a man was left on the side of the road for four hours before a funeral director arrived.

Already dozens of undertakers have refused to accept calls to attend tragic incidents because Galway County Council do not have the resources to pay them an appropriate fee.

When there are tragedies such as fatal road accidents, suicides and drownings and when a post mortem is required, the Gardai require undertakers to remove bodies to hospitals for examination.

But it has been revealed that the undertakers are paid a mere €56 for the call-out and also have to provide a body bag. Undertakers could spend several hours at a scene and the amount they receive for this service barely covers their cost.

The Fine Gael councillor said that there were occasions when the Gardai rang him to attend a scene of a tragic accident but he happened to be away at the time so he had to engage the services of a driver to cover for him.

Director of Services Mr Owens told the Council meeting that there was currently a review of the payments made to funeral directors and the details of this would be made clear over the coming weeks.

It has been revealed that only a small number of undertakers in County Galway are responding to calls asking them to attend tragedies such as fatal accidents, suicides or suspicious deaths.