A High Court dispute has erupted between the girlfriend and mother of a London rail worker over whether his body should be buried or cremated. Simon Comerford, a 36-year-old Transport for London employee, died by suicide in February after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
His partner, Toni Cameron, has been making arrangements for his funeral and cremation. However, his mother, Maria Comerford, a Roman Catholic, insists on burial, citing a deep-rooted phobia of fire. Ms Cameron argues that Mr Comerford had been estranged from his parents for years and would not want them involved in his funeral arrangements.
Ms Cameron has approached the High Court seeking a judge's ruling to release Mr Comerford's body to her so she can oversee a cremation and inter his ashes at her family plot. Ms Comerford seeks a directive for burial. Both women agree the funeral service can take place at St John the Evangelist Church in Islington.
The court heard that friction escalated after a heated phone conversation and text messages. Ms Cameron's barrister stated that Mr Comerford had been estranged from his parents for at least 10 years, while he and Ms Cameron had been in a loving relationship since 2011. Ms Cameron plans to have Mr Comerford's children through IVF, having secured his consent to use his sperm after death.
The judge, Master Karen Shuman, was told that Mr Comerford had been ambivalent about burial or cremation, with a conversation in February indicating either option was acceptable. The case continues.
