Drowning victim’s lockdown funeral slammed as ‘heartless’
A devastated mum who was forced to hold a restricted funeral for her teenage son in lockdown says “it’s a heartless call” that another family has to suffer the same way.
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A mum denied an unrestricted funeral for her teenage boy after he took his life during last year’s lockdown is “appalled” the same thing has happened to a young drowning victim’s family.
Ange Shearman, whose 16-year-old son Louie died during Victoria’s first lockdown, said she couldn’t believe the Health Department could again be so heartless.
Her comments come after the family of Cooper Onyett, 8, were on Friday denied a funeral exemption. The youngster drowned at a pool in Port Fairy while on school camp.
“It feels like Groundhog Day,” Ms Shearman said. “My heart just broke again thinking of Cooper’s poor family.
“It’s a heartless call.
“It only serves to further the grief of a regional community.”
Last year’s Covid-19 restrictions meant only 10 people could attend Louie’s funeral.
Ms Shearman tried to get an exemption but it was denied on “grounds of human rights”.
Ms Shearman, a mum of two, waited until restriction eased so the family could have 30 mourners at Louie’s funeral. It was finally held on May 18 last year — almost a month after the teen’s death.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
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