Council apology after porn is played during funeral service for father and son

Simon Lewis and Simon Junior were killed in a head-on collision on Lamby Way in Cardiff on New Year's Eve.

Hundreds of mourners were left shocked after the video was played during the service at Thornhill Crematorium in the city.


Cardiff Council, which runs the crematorium, has apologised for the incident and said it will be launching an investigation.


A spokeswoman said: "There were four television screens used to display visual tributes as part of this funeral service.


"The television  screen which showed the inappropriate content was recently installed, replacing a screen which was broken.


"We are trying to establish if the new screen – which is a smart television - could have accepted or picked up a broadcast by accident via bluetooth or across a wifi network.

"The other three screens, which aren’t smart TVs, were unaffected.


"We are clear that it isn't possible for any member of staff to play or download anything on the computer that links to the screens in the chapel.

"The screen has now been completely disconnected until audio visual engineers carry out a thorough investigation.

"We would like to take this opportunity to send our sincere apologies to the family and to the mourners at the funeral."

The fatal crash happened on December 31 when the Lewis family's Daihatsu Sirion collided with a blue Peugeot 307.

Mr Lewis, 33, died at the scene.

His pregnant wife, Amanda, and their three-year-old daughter survived - although the couple's child had to be delivered by emergency Caesarean section in hospital.

However, despite the best efforts of doctors, the baby was pronounced dead on January 3.

South Wales Police said Mrs Lewis had been left totally and utterly devastated by both deaths.

A family tribute issued by the force said: "Simon was a very popular man who lived for his family. 

He was a wonderful father and husband who was looking forward to the birth of his son.

"He will never be replaced."

A man has since been charged with causing two deaths through dangerous driving, aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Kyle Kennedy, 29, of Harris Avenue, Rumney, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on February 5.

The Reverend who led Wednesday's service of Mr Lewis and his son told Wales Online of the moment the offending footage appeared on screen.

Lionel Fanthorpe said: "I look at my congregations instead of the TV screen, but when I heard this noise and members of the congregation moving towards the screen, I realised something was wrong.

"Members of the family were very distressed, and Simon's father-in-law was desperately upset.

"This was not what anybody could have ever imagined or wanted.

"Thankfully an engineer came to fix it and turn it off. It seems to be some kind of electronic accident."

One mourner, who did not want to be named, branded the video as "absolutely disgusting".

They said: "It was around four or five minutes before they could turn it off. Everyone could not believe what they were seeing.

"Simon's family have been through hell and back already without having more distress.

"To the rev's credit he handled the situation really well. He said he had never seen such filth and apologised on behalf of the council."

Funeral directors James Summers & Son have called on Cardiff Council to leave no stone unturned in its investigation.

A statement from the firm said: 

"As the crematorium operator, Cardiff City Council facilitated the digital display of the images during the service.

"We have requested they launch a full investigation to explain to the Lewis family how such a distressing incident could happen and we remain in contact regarding this."

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