An unidentified man who was found dead in Jesmond last month has been named as volunteer Michael Elund.
The 68-year-old died after he collapsed while he was cutting back hedges around the gravestones at All Saints Cemetery on September 17.
Mr Elund, who was often seen voluntarily tending the graves, was not known by name to cemetery staff and he was not carrying any form of identification.
An investigation and public appeal to help identify the man was launched and the appeal was successfully answered 13 days later by a neighbour.
Police retrieved the Jesmond volunteer’s house key – one of the few possessions he had with him on September 17 – and found it fitted the lock of the address supplied.
Following a search of the house, formal identification and an address book were discovered.
Mr Elund, a former welder, is survived by his brother and sister, who say above all they will remember him for his kindness and called him ‘very caring.’
Detective Inspector Jonathan May, of Northumbria Police, said: “I want to thank the public for their support in aiding this appeal.
“I know many people were deeply touched by the circumstances surrounding this case and we were all determined that the kind volunteer, now named as Michael Elund, was given a fitting burial and resting place.
“It would likely have been impossible to identify Mr Elund if it was not for the public’s support, resilience and the genuine concern shown – thank you all.”
