French couple stumble upon grave of son thought to be alive

A mother and father attending a family burial in France were horrified to stumble across the grave of the son they thought to be alive and well.

Josiane Vermeersch and Elie Langlet were at Hellemmes cemetery near Lille in northern France on Wednesday for the funeral of Elie Langlet's brother.

As they left, one of the family party noticed a new headstone in an area reserved for paupers' graves. It read, "Olivier Vermeersch, 1968-2010."


Photo from here.

A quick check with the local undertakers confirmed it was indeed the couple's son who lived less than a mile away. He was found dead from natural causes at his home in July.

The family had attempted to contact the 42-year-old, specifically about his uncle's funeral, but heard nothing back and assumed he had either gone away or was still brooding about a minor argument.

French authorities were investigating on Friday why police and funeral staff failed to inform the family of his death.