Life and Death, a Difficult Journey Including Funeral... After the Death of a 318kg British Man

Early this month, died from chronic organ failure and obesity
Body too large to fit into the morgue

The heaviest man in the UK passed away earlier this month, but due to the size and weight of his body, a proper funeral could not be held. On the 5th (local time), the British daily The Sun reported that Jason Holton (33), who weighed approximately 318 kg, died earlier this month from organ failure and obesity. According to Jason's mother, Leisa (55), Jason wanted his body to be cremated. However, his body is currently too large to even fit into the mortuary.

Jason Holton, known as the "heaviest man in the UK."
Photo by The Sun

After Jason died at home, six firefighters used a special ambulance to transport his body to the hospital. Leisa said, "I asked a funeral home about Jason's weight, but the problem was that the body itself was too large," adding, "They said they weren't sure if Jason could fit into a hearse." She continued, "If Jason were to be buried underground, a double grave would be needed instead of a single one, which would cost a lot of money that I cannot afford." Fortunately, a funeral company contacted them, offering a larger coffin and a way to transport the body.

Jason became the heaviest person in the UK after Karl Thompson, who weighed about 412.7 kg, died in 2015. He began gaining weight in his teenage years after grieving his father's death by overeating. For five years, Jason stayed confined to his home, eating only fast food deliveries such as kebabs, meat, chocolate, potato chips, sandwiches, orange juice, and soda. Living by lying on two beds pushed together, he suffered from lymphedema in 2020. He needed to go to the hospital for treatment but could not pass through the doorway. As a result, 30 firefighters and a large crane were used to move him outside his home.

The firefighters who responded at the time spent a full 7 hours on a "rescue operation," removing the window on the third floor of the building where Jason lived, securing him to a crane, and moving him to the ground.
[Photo by The Sun]

The firefighters who responded at the time spent seven hours on a 'rescue operation' that involved removing the third-floor window of the building where Jason lived, securing him to a crane, and lowering him to the ground. After being transported to the hospital, Jason told The Sun in an interview, "I kept eating and gained weight until I couldn't move an inch," adding, "I felt like there was nothing left in my life and just waited to die inside my home."

Jason later tried to reduce his food intake and lost 3 kg while staying in a private nursing home. However, after suffering multiple heart attacks and losing the ability to walk, he lived only on his bed at home until his death. Jason's health had been poor since February this year, and he ultimately died from his chronic illness. Leisa mourned, "Jason worried about me until the very end. He was a very kind and thoughtful person."