An urgent appeal has been issued to locate relatives of a Irish woman who died in a care facility in the UK without any registered next of kin information.

Margaret (Peggy) Murdoch died on April 9 at Lisadian House Nursing Home, Hillsborough. She had formerly resided at El Shammah Nursing Home, Lisburn, Wilson Street, Lisburn and Seacash Walk, Antrim.

The South Eastern Trust and Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors have launched an appeal hoping to trace a relative of Margaret’s, though nobody has yet stepped forward. Nevertheless, they told Belfast Live that several people have indicated they would attend her funeral regardless of whether a family member can be located.

A funeral service for Margaret is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at Ronnie Thompson’s Funeral Church at 2.30pm, with the general public welcome to attend.

Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors announced on social media: “A Celebration of Life will be held in Ronnie Thompson’s Funeral Church, 20 Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 1UF on Tuesday 21st April 2026 at 2.30pm, followed by a private cremation.”

“As many will be aware, we recently made an appeal for relatives or those who knew Margaret in any way, to get in contact. This appeal has been shared by tens of thousands of people. We wish to thank everyone who has been in touch with us.

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“Although we have gathered some additional information, we have sadly been unable to contact any surviving family members. With regret, we feel it is necessary to proceed with the funeral arrangements without any known relatives.

“There have been many kind offers of financial support. To maintain transparency, we would like to let everyone know that a government agency is covering the cost of the cremation and Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors will absorb all other costs.”

They added: “There have been volunteers willing to contribute to the funeral service and provide those services, free of charge, some of which we are now able to avail of. We intend to acknowledge these people later.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members” and so we would like to take this opportunity to again thank everyone most sincerely who have contacted Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors with advice, support or information.

“If you are able to support others like Margaret who may live alone, donations can be made online via www.ronniethompson.co.uk or cheques payable to “AGE N.I” c/o Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors, 20 Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 1UF.”

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