A former Quebecer says he's upset that the hospital handling his mother's body after she died last summer can't account for her jewelry that had great sentimental value.
Ajay Pangarkar told yourstory@cjad.com it's been a frustrating back and forth with the Hôpital de St-Eustache where his mother's body was sent after she passed away at her Boisbriand home.
"They said they did have the belongings but now they were lost and they don't know where they are," said Pangarkar.
"It is somewhat frustrating, it is stressful, and it is upsetting."
Pangarkar said his mother, Cécile Auger, never took off her rings his father had custom made in India.
"These are not just ordinary belongings - this is jewelry my mother's had for 40-plus years," Pangarkar told CJAD 800.
"My concern is that my mother expected me to respect her wishes and bury her body with those jewelry."
Ajay Pangarkar
The regional health authority in charge of the hospital said they could not discuss the details due to patient confidentiality but told CJAD 800 it's in the hands of insurance now and they're working on preventing this in the future.
Pangarkar said he's still waiting for answers while his mother's ashes remain in limbo.
Paul Brunet of the Council for the Protection of Patients said they hear too many similar stories.
"How about better controlling the sites?" said Brunet.
"The more insulting is that the hospital tells you, you should have recourse to your own insurance. No way! They should sue the hospital - they have the responsibility."
Pangarkar said it's unacceptable.
"At the end of the day, I'm stuck, sadly, to bury my mother without her wishes of having her jewelry with her," said Pangarkar.
"Basically it's almost like, 'Too bad, we lost them, so there you go.' There's no compassion and it's upsetting to the family."