'I wanted to give myson a proper funeral'

Distraught relatives who were unable to bury their dear departed because of the nationwide strike heaved a sigh of relief yesterday as hearse owners returned to work.

Six funerals were held yesterday after the Motor Hearses Association on Wednesday night ended a three-day strike, which had dealt mourners a double blow.

Carmela Catania expressed her relief at being able to bury her 49-year-old son, Raymond, today - almost a week after he died following an accident at work.

"I was worried that the funeral would be disrupted by those on strike. I wanted to be able to give my son a proper funeral," she said, adding that the mortuary had given her until today to bury her son.

Josette Copperstone, whose 51-year-old husband Charles died in the UK, understands perfectly the despair of relatives who are already grieving a loved one. She was in for a shock on Tuesday when she returned to Malta with the coffin only to learn that the funeral arrangements - which had already been finalised - had to be cancelled at the last minute because of the strike.

"At least we have a date for the funeral now," the widow told The Times.

Noel Scicluna, whose 79-year-old mother, Pauline, died on Wednesday said he had to pay an extra €125 to preserve the body.

"It was disappointing to have to fork out more money because of a strike," he said.

Yesterday saw the 10 hearses return to their job after a deal was struck between the association and the government late on Wednesday evening. Hearses were escorted by the police for the three morning funerals and the health authorities held a meeting to schedule the burial of the remaining bodies that are at the hospital's morgue, which can take up 54.