Gumleaf
October 23rd, 2009, 07:02 PM
08:31 AEST Sat Oct 24 2009
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/919691/man-turns-in-grave-to-familys-horror
New Zealand man Joseph Erueti, 72, was turning in his grave - literally - as his burial took an upsetting turn.
His widow Zandra Thompson, from Hamilton on the North Island, and her family were mourning their loss at his funeral during the week when his casket turned over in his grave as it was lowered into the ground at the waterlogged Newstead Cemetery.
It first floated, then turned over completely.
As bubbles and water gushed up around the coffin, a Simplicity Funeral Directors official took off his shoes and jumped into the grave, the New Zealand Herald reported on Saturday.
He could turn the casket only 45 degrees as mourners watched in horror.
"It was heartbreaking and it was disgusting. To see your husband, the man you have been with for years, turn over in his grave was just horrific," Ms Thompson said.
"We don't believe in bringing someone back up, but I was getting ready to jump down myself.
"It was just disgusting."
Mrs Thompson was escorted from the cemetery while a grandson made sure Mr Erueti was not buried with a list.
Cemetery staff pumped the water out of the hole and the Hamilton City Council later apologised.
© NZPA 2009
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/919691/man-turns-in-grave-to-familys-horror
New Zealand man Joseph Erueti, 72, was turning in his grave - literally - as his burial took an upsetting turn.
His widow Zandra Thompson, from Hamilton on the North Island, and her family were mourning their loss at his funeral during the week when his casket turned over in his grave as it was lowered into the ground at the waterlogged Newstead Cemetery.
It first floated, then turned over completely.
As bubbles and water gushed up around the coffin, a Simplicity Funeral Directors official took off his shoes and jumped into the grave, the New Zealand Herald reported on Saturday.
He could turn the casket only 45 degrees as mourners watched in horror.
"It was heartbreaking and it was disgusting. To see your husband, the man you have been with for years, turn over in his grave was just horrific," Ms Thompson said.
"We don't believe in bringing someone back up, but I was getting ready to jump down myself.
"It was just disgusting."
Mrs Thompson was escorted from the cemetery while a grandson made sure Mr Erueti was not buried with a list.
Cemetery staff pumped the water out of the hole and the Hamilton City Council later apologised.
© NZPA 2009