Following a distressing revelation in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, some families are facing uncertainty regarding the ashes they buried, with doubts arising about the true identity of the cremated remains. Discussing the situation, a DNA testing expert explained the challenges in accurately identifying such remains.
Recently, families who utilized the services of the now-defunct Serenity Funeral Home were notified by new management that ashes belonging to their deceased relatives were discovered in storage.
One affected individual, Michelle Carey, entrusted Serenity with the arrangements for her father, Hendrik (Hank) Sabean, after his passing in 2018. Despite specific instructions from Sabean regarding his funeral, the families are now faced with the prospect of re-burial, uncertain about the actual identity of the remains laid to rest.
Expressing skepticism about the possibility of confirming the remains’ identity through DNA testing, Carey emphasized the challenges in ensuring the accuracy of the process. Dean Hildebrand, overseeing a forensic DNA lab at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, highlighted the complexities of extracting sufficient DNA from ashes for conclusive identification.
Hildebrand acknowledged the resilience of DNA but underlined the severe breakdown of organic matter during the cremation process, making identification highly challenging. Despite past experiences in identifying remains from mixed ashes, the current situation presents a unique challenge due to the significant number of remains involved, as indicated by the new Serenity funeral home owners, East Coast Memorial.
While acknowledging the low odds of successful identification, Hildebrand remained cautiously optimistic, suggesting that testing bone fragments may yield valuable DNA information. He emphasized the importance of managing expectations throughout the process.
Regarding the buried ashes possibly containing an identification metal disc, Carey reflected on the slim chances of definitively determining the original remains’ identity from 2018. The ongoing investigation by provincial authorities and the Nova Scotia funeral directors’ regulator aims to shed light on the situation.
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