New opportunity for families to store DNA sample of a loved one offered by Rosedale Funeral Home

A pioneering new opportunity for families to keep a DNA sample of their loved one is being offered by a Norfolk-based funeral director.

The DNA Memorial service offered by Rosedale Funeral Home, which has premises in Diss and Attleborough, in preserves a genetic record enabling doctors to analyse a family’s DNA.

Rosedale say this can be ‘invaluable’ when diagnosing and treating genetic medical disorders, including cancer, diabetes and dementia.

Simon Beckett-Allen, director of Rosedale Funeral Home and one of the first in the country to offer the technology, became aware of the groundbreaking initiative shortly before his sister Sarah died unexpectedly aged 49. Simon said: “I immediately saw the value of keeping her DNA.

“Not only will this help us to protect our family’s health now and in the future, but it also gives us a precious keepsake that truly connects us forever with her.”

“I know Sarah would be pleased that this is being done and I’m sure that many other people will want to take advantage of this new opportunity.”

Not only will this help us to protect our family’s health now and in the future, but it also gives us a precious keepsake that truly connects us forever with her

The advance in the technology is the fact the DNA can be stored at room temperature.

Staff from each Rosedale Funeral Home have been specially trained to take DNA samples from loved ones, which is then sealed and can be stored by the family at home, either for clinical tests or for genealogical research in the future.

For more information, visit www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk