Bodies of couple kept in mortuary for 15 years finally laid to rest in Edinburgh

The bodies of couple who were held in a mortuary for 15 years have finally been laid to rest after a funeral in Edinburgh.

Hilda Marcel died on February 10, 1987, aged 68 while Eugenois died on August 31, 1994, aged 91.

In May 2002, police investigating another matter discovered the couple had not been buried but were stored in their son Melvyn's premises at Gilmour Place.

Prosecutors were told of the discovery, but no proceedings were brought and the procurator fiscal said the bodies could be released for burial or cremation.

The embalmed bodies were moved to a city mortuary, where they were stored until a lengthy court battle rejected their son's Melvyn Marcel appeal to keep the bodies at his property.

In February, a court ruled the council had a ''statutory duty'' to dispose of the remains.

Edinburgh City Council confirmed the couple had been buried at a funeral at Craigmillar Castle Park Cemetery on Thursday.

She said: A funeral was held today for Mr and Mrs Marcel.'