Menu
 
Home | News | It’s a DIY mortuary now!
 
Community | 6th October 2022
 

It’s a DIY mortuary now!

 
 
WALL OF SILENCE: The original mortuary at the Thomas Hope has been out of service for some time but there will be no facility AT ALL in Langholm from the end of the year
 

• Another Langholm facility to close
• Undertaker told ‘build his own’ morgue

A funeral director in Langholm has been told to build his own DIY mortuary, after a shock decision to close existing facilities in the town.

David Erskine says he was informed by Dumfries & Galloway NHS this week that the mortuary at the Thomas Hope hospital is to be shut.

The call came out of the blue – but when he protested, Mr Erskine was promised he would be given the necessary equipment to store the bodies of the deceased himself.

“I don’t know where they think I’m going to put it all,” he said. “Maybe they think I can build a shed at the back of my house.”
There are currently three refrigerated bays at the Thomas Hope mortuary. Under NHS plans – which have already seen the scrapping of a number of services at the hospital – these would close at the end of the year.

Read more in this week’s E&L available at your Newsagent or available online by subscription. Click HERE

 
 
Would you like to support us?

The Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser is our community owned local newspaper and even in today’s troubled times, we aim to bring you local news and articles in an impartial, responsible and factual way.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this free article but we need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent and keeps you up to date with what is happening in Eskdale and Liddesdale.

Every reader’s contribution, however big or small, is so valuable to us.
 
 
‘Owned by the Community...Published for the Community’
Do you have a story?

Please get in touch if you have a story or article you would like to see published.

Related Articles

Mutual benefits as old and young meet

By Mrs Nicol, Nursery Manager There was a meeting of…

 

Hope Hospital shines in Excellence in Care inspection

The Thomas Hope hospital in Langholm recently had a six-month…

 

Over 100 years of Thomas Hope service between them

Angela, Kate and Sheena have all worked in a job…

 

DGRI cyber attack leads to region-wide mailing

CEO will contact every household in region with online safety…

 

Unprecedented financial challenges for NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Chief Executive, Jeff Ace makes a statement in light of…

 

‘Is our voice even heard?’

NHS Dumfries and Galloway executives attend first of hopefully many…

 

Urgent action required in face of diminished services

1,000+ signature petition endorses demands Langholm’s ailing health services are…

 

Enough is Enough!

Petition for vital health services to be restored to Langholm…

 

An even bigger BIG Bang!

Langholm, once more, pulls out all the stops for a…

 

Experts explore the future of Reid & Taylor Site

…“no illusions about the scale of the challenge ahead and…

 

Council vows action after damning bridges report

Review identifies inspection backlogs and management gaps A bridges and…

 

Farmer Ben brings out the ‘Best’ in family farms

Dalscone Farm wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ A Dumfries…

 

Myretown maintains perfect Kelso record

Myretown began the journey to get his career back on…

 

Review looks at easing wind farm restrictions around Eskdalemuir

Eskdalemuir Seismological Station: Photo by Oliver Dixon under CCL

An independent review has been commissioned into ways of reducing…

 

Urgent safety fears remain over state of Erskine Church

It appears that no one is taking ANY responsibility Fresh…

 

Burnfoot Wool receives some unexpected visitors

As business expands, 22 Canadians pay a visit to the Ewes…

 

Legends, memories and milestones mark Langholm Cricket Club celebration

50 years since historic Border League triumph is commemorated in…

 

Dumfries bus service almost ready to roll: PSV drivers needed

Annandale Community Transport Services is almost ready to launch its…

 

Langholm’s BIG BANG is sure to light up the sky

Langholm’s Big Bang will once again light up Langholm’s skies…

 

From hidden gem to High Street hotspot

All the Small Things and the Affordable Angler relocate to…

 

Congregations welcome Rev Lynn Brady

Eskdale & Liddesdale Church of Scotlandlinked withCanonbie United Parish Church…

 

Dozens on O2 network without signal for days

Several mobile providers affected by major failure A number of…

 

Is the E&L an important part of life in the commuity?

Feedback welcome in our quest to keep the ‘Langholm Paper’ alive…

 

AOIFFION: Langholm's Ultimate Athlete

Athletics…by Calum Graham Last Saturday, 14-year-old Aoiffion McVittie Brangan from…

 

Rotary fundraiser brings out the willing walkers

176 participants from 35 groups set off from Langholm and…

 

Doreen Turns 100!

We have just heard from Maria Dalton, one of the…

 

Objectors have Over Cassock shooting range in their sights

Eskdalemuir CC is one of 27 against the plans, but…

 

Primary 7 pupils get to enjoy the great outdoors

Winmarleigh trip gives the youngsters a great adventure and a…

 

Bella gets MOTM as Langholm wins at Porty

Rugby…by Kenneth Pool…Portobello 8 Langholm 15 Langholm travelled to Cavalry…

 

Langholm ends show season with a fine finale

The 174th Langholm Show By Mairi Telford Jammeh The 2026…

 

Two more wind farms for the immediate vicinity

Muirhall receive government consent for Hopsrig and Loganhead Two proposed…

 

Scottish reform plans face local scrutiny

D&G Council says local democracy key to success Dumfries and…

 

Japanese Summer Camp for Langholm Karate Trio

Experience of a lifetime for dedicated Shotokan Karate Club members…

 

First Responders celebrate 20 years of being brilliant

One of Copshaw’s most valued voluntary groups reaches a milestone…

 

A committed Councillor and a really nice man

Many organisations mourn the passing of Councillor Archie Dryburgh Archie…

 

Questions mount over Wyseby Hill Energy Farm proposal

“It is important that people understand what is being proposed…

 

As the days shorten, Autumn gardening has lots still to enjoy

Gardening columnist, Helen Knowles tells us there is so much…

 

Langholm Show - still time for entries

The Langholm Show this year is the 174th one ever…

 

Cracking the stonewall on River Esk gravel issue

Threats of further extreme weather from El Niño compound the…

 

That Fringe Feeling…

Dumb Blond returns with a look at the festivities and…

 
 
requires mailchimp logins and wired up to a list
Join our mailing list
Keep up to date with all that’s going on at the E&L
This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. We use necessary cookies to make sure that our website works. We’d also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. By clicking “Allow All”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
These cookies are required for basic functionalities such as accessing secure areas of the website, remembering previous actions and facilitating the proper display of the website. Necessary cookies are often exempt from requiring user consent as they do not collect personal data and are crucial for the website to perform its core functions.
A “preferences” cookie is used to remember user preferences and settings on a website. These cookies enhance the user experience by allowing the website to remember choices such as language preferences, font size, layout customization, and other similar settings. Preference cookies are not strictly necessary for the basic functioning of the website but contribute to a more personalised and convenient browsing experience for users.
A “statistics” cookie typically refers to cookies that are used to collect anonymous data about how visitors interact with a website. These cookies help website owners understand how users navigate their site, which pages are most frequently visited, how long users spend on each page, and similar metrics. The data collected by statistics cookies is aggregated and anonymized, meaning it does not contain personally identifiable information (PII).
Marketing cookies are used to track user behaviour across websites, allowing advertisers to deliver targeted advertisements based on the user’s interests and preferences. These cookies collect data such as browsing history and interactions with ads to create user profiles. While essential for effective online advertising, obtaining user consent is crucial to comply with privacy regulations.