Woman declared dead discovered alive and breathing at funeral home

An employee of the funeral home noticed the 74-year-old woman was still alive as she was being placed on a table.

Men of funeral service loading the coffin into the hearse

The 74-year-old woman had been declared dead a little over two hours before she was found breathing. (Image: Getty)

A 74-year-old woman declared dead at her care home was discovered to be still alive and breathing after she was moved to the funeral home.

Constance Glanz was pronounced dead at 9:44 am on June 3 and her body was moved to Butherus-Maser & Love Funeral Home in Lincoln, Nebraska shortly after.

The funeral home employee tending to her got the shock of a lifetime as they soon realised she was still breathing.

Staff immediately started to perform CPR and called emergency services and the police to report the "unusual" incident.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said Ms Glanz was rushed to hospital and is still alive, receiving treatment.

Chief Deputy in uniform press conference.

Chief Deputy Houchin described the case as unusual. (Image: NBC NEWS)

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said: "It's a very unusual case. Been doing this 31 years and nothing like this has ever gotten to this point before.”

Chief Deputy Houchin said the funeral home called the police at 11:44 am and respondents immediately intervened.

He said: "An employee was placing Constance Glanz onto a table to start their process and the employee noted that she was breathing. They instantly called 911 and LFR and LPD responded.

"She was taken to a local hospital and is still alive. LSO has been to the nursing home and we have have started our investigation into what happened."

Mr Houchin confirmed the investigation is still ongoing but his officers have not found evidence of malicious intent.

He added: "At this point, we have not been able to find any criminal intent by the nursing home but the investigation is ongoing.

"Constance was placed in hospice at the nursing home. At the time that they believed she passed, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office was not dispatched a coroner.

"It did not fall into those parameters for them to have to call us to do a coroner's investigation. Constance's family has been notified and she is 74 years of age."

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