Nova Scotia Families Face Uncertainty as Unclaimed Ashes Found; DNA Identification Proves Difficult
Families in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley are grappling with uncertainty after discovering that ashes belonging to their loved ones, previously buried by the former Serenity Funeral Home, were found in storage. Experts note that identifying these remains via DNA is extremely challenging due to the high temperatures of cremation.
Families in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley are facing a distressing situation after learning that ashes belonging to their deceased relatives, which had been previously buried, were discovered in storage. The discovery was made earlier this month when the new owners of the former Serenity Funeral Home, East Coast Memorial, informed several families about the unclaimed remains.
The revelation has left many questioning whether they actually buried the correct ashes for their loved ones. Michelle Carey, whose father Hendrik (Hank) Sabean died in 2018, expressed skepticism about the identity of the remains her family originally interred. For families like Carey’s, the possibility exists that they may have to go through the burial process again if the remains cannot be positively identified.
However, experts indicate that using DNA testing to identify the ashes offers only faint hope. Dean Hildebrand, manager of the forensic DNA laboratory at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, explained that the heat from cremation destroys all genetic material, making identification very challenging. Crematorium conditions typically involve temperatures reaching 900 C for up to three hours, resulting in a total breakdown of organic matter. While trace amounts of DNA might exist, they are often insufficient for reliable identification.
In response to the incident, both the provincial government and Nova Scotia’s regulator of funeral directors have launched investigations into the matter.