Burnley widower sickened as thieves steal rings from dead wife

Michael Hicks, 63, said he was sickened by the thought of someone touching his wife Kathryn’s body.

Thieves sneaked into Greenwoods Funeral Home, Burnley, and stole her engagement and eternity rings.

They also attempted to steal her wedding ring but it wouldn't come off.

Bosses from the Dignity Group, which runs the Cemetery Lane funeral home, have paid out the equivalent of more than £6,000 in compensation.

Mr Hicks, 63, said: "I’ve had so many sleepless nights over it. The value of the rings doesn’t matter.

"They were of sentimental value and that can never be replaced.”

Mrs Hicks, who was brought up in Read, died from pneumonia in March. She was 53.

Mr Hicks said: “It sickens me to the pit of my stomach and I can’t get it out of my mind.

"It is disgusting. To me, it is sacrilege. Nobody with an ounce of decency would do this.”

Police launched an investigation into the theft, which took place on March 27, but no one has been charged with the offence.

Mr Hicks, of Carholme Avenue, Burnley, took legal steps against the funeral home.

Bosses then agreed to waive the fee for Mrs Hicks's funeral, which cost around £3,000, and pay £1,000 for the value of the rings; £1,000 for Mr Hicks’ solicitors’ fees and £1,500 for the stress caused.

Mr Hicks said he only settled because if he had gone to court and lost he could have faced a legal bill from Dignity Group's solicitors.

He said: “My wife was a very private person and those rings meant something personal between us.

"These last few months have been so painful for me and our son, Stephen.”

Mr Hicks is a painter and decorator. He spent several months caring for his wife at home and since her death he has since struggled to work because of stress.

A spokesman for the Dignity Group, which owns 546 funeral homes across the country, said: “We are deeply sorry that this incident occurred and for the distress caused to Mr Hicks and his family.”