Kochi: Two bodies at a palliative care centre in Palluruthy, Kochi, were mistakenly swapped, resulting in the wrongful burial of one man and prompting an exhumation under police supervision.

The mix-up involved Antony, a native of Kumbalangi, and Peter, a resident of Palluruthy. Antony’s body had been kept in cold storage at the centre because his relatives living abroad could not return immediately. Peter’s body was stored alongside it, according to local media reports.

On Thursday, Peter’s relatives collected what they believed was his body and performed funeral rites at a nearby church. The last rites were held directly at the church rather than at the residence due to limited space and facilities, so there was no public viewing of the body.

The mistake was realised the following day when Antony’s family returned from abroad. They were shocked to find Peter’s body still in storage while Antony’s had already been buried.

Later, the centre employees and the villagers alerted the church authorities concerned.

After discussions, it was decided to exhume Antony’s body, which had been buried the previous day. The exhumation was carried out in the presence of police and church officials.

Later, Antony’s body was taken to Kumbalangi, where his relatives conducted the last rites at the local church.

Meanwhile, Peter’s body was also buried by his family at the Palluruthy church once the dispute was resolved.

The incident has sparked debate over the lack of proper identification and verification procedures at palliative care centres and mortuaries.

Locals have demanded stricter rules to prevent such distressing errors in the future, pointing out that grieving families should never be put through such an ordeal. IANS