A FAMILY has hit out over what they are calling "disgusting treatment" from a funeral director.

William Brazier, a great-grandfather who lived in Harwood, died from cancer at Bolton Hospice, aged 79.

His family arranged to hold his funeral on September 26 at The Co-operative Funeral Directors in Crompton Way, Astley Bridge.

But they say the firm called them the day before to say they would have to cancel because it had been double booked and the information the family provided had not been recorded.

This was after the funeral directors had apparently contacted the family on the Monday to tell them that the cremation could not go ahead either.

And then the family says the Co-operative again got in touch with them on the evening of September 25 to inform them that the funeral was back on.

Susan Lewis, Mr Brazier’s daughter, said she was furious about the situation.

She said: “I don’t want anyone to have to suffer like we have suffered — we feel like we have been manipulated and misled.

“We are disgusted and feel like the situation was not handled competently by The Co-operative at all.

“They were not sensitive to our situation and the man they sent down was completely dismissive.

“We just couldn’t believe it when we got the phone call the day before the funeral. We were all so upset.”

The Co-operative Funeralcare has apologised to the family for any upset that may have been caused and has offered them compensation of £415.

Mrs Lewis also claimed Mr Brazier’s body had been wrongly put in an open coffin and that he had looked ‘a mess’ on the day of the funeral. Mrs Lewis, who has turned down the firm’s offer of compensation, said: “When we saw dad on the day of the funeral, he looked like a vagrant.

"He always cared about his appearance.

“We don’t care about the money, we just want The Co-operative to admit they made a mistake.”

William Brazier, who has since been cremated, was originally from Tottington.

He moved to Bolton in his 20s after meeting his soon-to-be-wife Veronica.

He was an engineer in the Merchant Navy and had three children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A spokesman for The Co-operative Funeralcare said: “We made every effort to provide a funeral service to meet the needs of the family and we are disappointed the family felt this was not the case."

The spokesman added: “We have been in regular dialogue with the family and have apologised for any upset.”