A woman, 88, was almost buried alive after she was found breathing in her own coffin while her presumed dead body was being prepared by funeral workers.

The elderly woman had appeared unresponsive after her partner could not wake her one morning at their home in Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Fearing the worst, he called emergency services who rushed to help the distressed pensioner but a coroner soon declared her dead, it was reported in Blesk.

But funeral workers realised while they were working on her body that the woman was in fact still alive.

Local reports claim that the pensioner suddenly opened her eyes as she was placed in the coffin while others have suggested the workers noticed she was breathing. 

Once it was established she was alive, the pensioner was then taken to hospital where she is reportedly doing well.

Police have since launched an investigation into how the woman could slip through still alive and the coroner is being suspected of failing to offer aid.