The mother had the coffin opened, and found that it contained, not her child, but the body of an old officer in Russian uniform

In the pages of the International Herald Tribune, 100 Years Ago:

BERLIN — A widow lady named Wachterhausen, residing at Potsdam, recently had the misfortune to lose her only daughter, Amalia, who was staying at Nice for the benefit of her health. The mother telegraphed to an undertaker in that town ordering an elaborate coffin, and requesting that the remains should be sent home for burial. Just before the funeral on Sunday the mother had the coffin opened, and found that it contained, not her child, but the body of an old officer in Russian uniform. On making inquiries she learned by telegram from Nice that the bodies had been accidentally exchanged. Her daughter’s body had been forwarded to Smolensk in Russia instead of that of the officer. On telegraphing to the Russian authorities Madame Wachterhausen was informed that the body of her daughter had just been buried with great ceremony and military honors.

— The New York Herald, European Edition, December 12, 1915