Tesco demands baby death proof

Tesco demanded to see the baby's death certificate

A supermarket chain has apologised after demanding a grieving couple prove their baby had died.

Matthew and Rachel Hartnett, whose five-month-old son Louis died of pneumonia, wanted his name removed from Tesco's Baby and Toddler Club mailing list.

But when they asked a family friend to contact the company, they were stunned to be asked for the baby's death certificate.

Mr and Mrs Hartnett, from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, were told Louis could not be removed from the list until they could prove he had died.

We just wanted his name taken off the list... they have put us through more pain and let down a good customer

Matthew Hartnett

Mr Hartnett, a 21-year-old assistant teacher, said he was so astonished he asked his mother Susan to check - and she was told the same thing.

"I thought it was disgusting," he said.

"We just wanted his name taken off before we had any mail come through for him, which would upset my wife.

"It was very upsetting for both of us.

"They have put us through more pain. They are normally a good supermarket, but they have let down one of their good customers."

Death certificate

Mr Hartnett said neither he nor his wife had received an apology from Tesco, or had any contact from the supermarket chain.

The Baby and Toddler Club offers discounts and other deals on items and sends out a regular newsletter.

A Tesco spokesman said the company would be apologising to the Hartnett family in writing.

He said: "It is not company policy to ask for a death certificate. Normally the name would be removed without any questions being asked.

"Obviously there has been a mistake and we are very sorry for any distress this has caused."