Sally Blundell, 58, died after the hydraulic coffin lifter she was using descended unexpectedly at East of England Co-op Funeral Services in Swaffham.

Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake said she would be issuing a prevention of future death report to the manufactures of the trolly A R Twigg & Son.

Before they retired to consider the evidence, she told jurors they must decide when, where and how Mrs Blundell met her death, stressing: “This is not a trial - it is an inquest to find out how Sally died.”

A forensic services van outside the East of England Co-op Funeral Services in Swaffham (Image: Christopher Bishop)

After deliberations, the jury concluded that while working alone as a funeral arranger she suffered fatal chest compression when she became positioned within the mechanism of the trolley, which then descended without warning.

Mrs Blundell, who lived on The Street in Great Cressingham, died on December 1, 2023.

Her daughter Lucy Blundell was in court for the final day of the hearing.

The inquest heard how the experienced funeral professional had returned to work at the Swaffham branch in July 2022 after previously working for the company.

Area coroner Yvonne........

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