Nursing home residents eagerly open Valentine's Day cards to discover they are from a chain of funeral directors

Residents of the CARE home were thrilled when they were sent Valentine's Day cards, only to discover they had come from a chain of funeral directors.

The older recipients eagerly opened the cards, decorated with a red heart and a pink bow.

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But many were stunned when they read the message inside, which read: “Sent with love from TH Sanders & Sons.”

Angry family members say the stunt was an insensitive attempt to attract new customers – and accused staff at the home of helping pull off the stunt because the cards were not stamped.

A furious son now plans to move his mother, who is in her 80s.

He said: 'Luckily we managed to hide it before mum could see it as it would have been devastating.

“It's terrible for A funeral administrators try to attract new customers by focusing on vulnerable elderly people.”

The cards were distributed at Whitegates Care Center in the village of Laleham, near Staines, Surrey.

Relatives say many of the residents are weak and easily confused. Another family member said: “This would have caused them great confusion, anger and disappointment as they are often here after losing their lifelong partners.”

Carole Easton, from the Center for Aging Better Foundation said: “This is an extremely disgusting stunt.”

Prices for the 31-bed house start at £1,300 per week.

It said: “Residents were very happy to receive the cards.”

TH Sanders has nine locations and is part of the Dignity group, which said: “We deeply regret any unintended harm.”