Introduction

A funeral service intended to celebrate the life of a devoted church steward turned into a scene of chaos and profound grief on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The family of 40-year-old George Kwame Antwi, a beloved steward of the Presbyterian Church, was left traumatised after discovering that his body was missing from the mortuary just hours before his scheduled burial. This shocking administrative lapse at the Assin Brofoyedur Mortuary in Ghana’s Central Region has sparked a high-profile legal and emotional crisis, leaving a community in shock and a family searching for closure.

In a bizarre twist of events, the family learned that their relative had already been interred three months prior—mistakenly buried by a different family who claimed his body as their own 75-year-old patriarch. This article explores the details of the incident, the background of the mortuary facility, an analysis of the systemic failures involved, and practical advice for families navigating similar bureaucratic challenges.

Key Points

Background

The Deceased and the Church

George Kwame Antwi, aged 40, was a respected steward at the Presbyterian Church. His role within the religious community was one of service and dedication. He passed away in September 2025, and his body was subsequently preserved at the Assin Brofoyedur Mortuary. For four months, the family anticipated a dignified send-off, a common cultural practice in Ghana where funerals are significant social events requiring extensive preparation.

The Mortuary Facility

The Assin Brofoyedur Mortuary serves the Central Region, handling numerous cases ranging from natural deaths to accidents. While mortuaries in Ghana are essential infrastructure, they often face challenges regarding record-keeping and staffing. In this instance, the facility was entrusted with the safekeeping of Mr. Antwi’s remains until the family was ready for the burial ceremony.

The Funeral Preparations

By January 17, 2026, preparations were in full swing in the Assin Odumase community. Mourners had traveled from across the country, canopies were erected, sound systems tested, and caterers had finished cooking. The undertakers were on standby, and the community was gathered to pay their last respects. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow but structured for a dignified burial.

Analysis: How the Body Swap Occurred

The Sequence of Errors

According to preliminary investigations, the administrative lapse occurred late in the previous year. A separate family arrived at the mortuary seeking to retrieve the body of their 75-year-old patriarch. Due to what appears to be a catastrophic failure in identification protocols, mortuary staff released the body of George Kwame Antwi (40) to this family.

The Critical Discrepancy

One of the most perplexing aspects of this case is the significant age discrepancy. The body of George Kwame Antwi was that of a 40-year-old man, while the family requesting the remains was looking for a 75-year-old. Despite the obvious physical differences and the three-decade age gap, the receiving family proceeded with the burial rites. This raises questions about the vigilance of both the mortuary attendants and the receiving family during the identification and burial process.

The State of Limbo

The aftermath of the discovery has placed both families in a complex legal and emotional limbo:

• The Antwi Family: They are left mourning a man whose body is now in a stranger’s grave. The psychological trauma of knowing a loved one is buried elsewhere is compounded by the financial loss.
• The Other Family: They unknowingly buried a stranger, believing they had laid their patriarch to rest. The 75-year-old’s actual remains remain unclaimed and incorrectly labeled in the mortuary freezer.

Societal and Cultural Impact

In Ghanaian culture, a proper burial is essential for spiritual and social peace. The inability to bury George Kwame Antwi as planned has disrupted the community’s grieving process. The Presbyterian Church, which was prepared to offer a final salute to its steward, was left without a casket to bless, creating a somber and confusing scene for the congregation.

Practical Advice: Navigating Mortuary Services and Disputes

While this case involves extreme negligence, it highlights the importance of vigilance when dealing with mortuary services. Here are steps families can take to prevent similar tragedies or respond if they occur.

1. Verification and Documentation

When a loved one is placed in a mortuary, ensure you have a detailed receipt and identification number. Always verify the body’s identity tags before and after every visit. In cases of long-term storage, request periodic written confirmations of the body’s status.

2. The Retrieval Process

On the day of retrieval, do not rely solely on mortuary staff. A family representative should physically view the body to confirm identity before transportation to the funeral home. If the mortuary has a viewing protocol, use it. If the body has been preserved for months, identification might be difficult; in such cases, rely on distinct clothing items or jewelry used during storage.

3. Immediate Legal Recourse

If a discrepancy is found, as in the Antwi case, families should immediately involve the police to secure the scene and prevent further administrative tampering. Do not delay in filing a formal complaint. The family’s demand for a court order for exhumation is the correct legal step to recover the remains.

4. Managing Financial Liability

Funerals are expensive. Families should consider insurance policies that cover funeral costs. In the event of negligence like a body swap, families are entitled to compensation for wasted expenses (catering, transport, venue) and legal fees. Document every receipt to build a strong case for restitution.

5. Accountability and Advocacy

Public pressure often leads to faster resolutions. By speaking to media outlets like Citi News or Life Pulse Daily, families can bring attention to systemic failures in mortuary management. This not only helps the specific case but can drive policy changes regarding staff training and body identification protocols in public facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should I do if I suspect a body mix-up at a mortuary?

Immediately halt any funeral proceedings. Contact the mortuary management and the local police to file a report. Secure all documentation proving your family’s claim to the body. It is crucial to act quickly to prevent the mistaken burial or cremation of the remains.

Can a family be compensated for a mortuary error?

Yes. In cases of gross negligence, families can seek legal compensation for financial losses (funeral expenses), emotional distress, and legal costs. The Antwi family’s demand for full compensation is a standard legal recourse in such scenarios.

How common are body swaps in mortuaries?

Body swaps are rare but can occur due to human error, particularly in facilities with high traffic or inadequate record-keeping systems. This incident highlights the critical need for strict identification protocols, such as fingerprinting or DNA verification, especially in mass storage facilities.

What are the legal implications for the mortuary?

The mortuary staff and management face potential civil lawsuits for negligence and possibly criminal charges depending on local laws. An investigation into the “mortuary attendants” mentioned by the family is likely to determine if gross misconduct or theft was involved.

What happens to the 75-year-old’s remains?

Currently, the 75-year-old’s body remains unclaimed in the mortuary freezer, incorrectly labeled. Once the Antwi family’s body is exhumed, the other family will likely need to retrieve their relative’s actual remains for a proper burial.

Conclusion

The case of George Kwame Antwi is a heartbreaking example of administrative failure and the devastating impact it can have on grieving families. What was meant to be a day of closure turned into a logistical nightmare and a source of profound trauma. The discovery that a 40-year-old church steward was mistaken for a 75-year-old man—and subsequently buried—points to severe lapses in protocol at the Assin Brofoyedur Mortuary.

As the Antwi family seeks justice through the courts for exhumation and compensation, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust in essential services. It underscores the urgent need for mortuaries to implement rigorous identification systems to prevent such errors. For now, the community of Assin Odumase and the Presbyterian Church await the return of their steward, hoping to finally grant him the dignified resting place he deserves.