Kerala family seeks help to repatriate mother’s body from UK

Kuttiyadi: The family of a woman who passed away in the United Kingdom is appealing for support to bring her body back home.

Chandri (63), wife of the late Choyi, from Kuttiyadi, died of a heart attack on September 15 in Southampton, UK. She had travelled to the UK three months ago to help care for her son Sumith’s children.

Chandri was admitted to Southampton General Hospital after experiencing chest pain. Doctors found four blockages in her coronary arteries, and despite ongoing treatment, she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

As she did not have health insurance, the hospital bill remains unpaid, in addition to the expenses required for repatriation of the body. The outstanding hospital amount is around £5,000.

Her son Sumith works at a Tesco warehouse in the UK, while his wife, Joyce, is employed as a carer. The couple have two young children. Chandri is also survived by two other sons, Sandeep and Sushanth, who live in Kerala.

The British Malayali Charity Foundation has stepped in to assist the family and has launched an appeal through social media. Relatives are also taking initiatives for the repatriation of the body. The Association has also submitted an application to the Indian High Commission for the release and repatriation of the body.

Her son Sumith says that, procedures are being completed, and they hope to bring the body back home within a week. Chandri is the daughter of late Pokkan and Mani. Her daughters-in-law are Joyce (Pathanamthitta) and Prija (Thrissur). She is also survived by her siblings Vasu, Chandran, and Shashi.