Funeral Home Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Deceased

During a recent government meeting, several complaints against funeral establishments were discussed, highlighting issues of licensing, service quality, and professional conduct.

The first complaint involved a funeral director whose license had expired for a brief period. Following a routine inspection, it was found that the director had conducted services while unlicensed. The board recommended a letter of warning for the first complaint and a $250 civil penalty for a subsequent complaint involving the same director, who had also conducted arrangement conferences during the lapse. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining valid licenses to ensure compliance with regulations.

Another significant complaint addressed allegations of unprofessional conduct by a funeral home regarding the handling of cremains and insurance policy funds. The complainant, a granddaughter of the deceased, claimed that the funeral home failed to send the cremains and remaining funds owed to her. Despite multiple attempts to contact the funeral home, the complainant received no response. The board recommended a $2,000 civil penalty for the funeral home due to its failure to respond to the complaint and for unprofessional conduct.

A separate complaint raised concerns about a funeral establishment's treatment of a decedent, alleging that the body was left out of refrigeration, leading to visible signs of decomposition. The funeral home manager refuted these claims, stating that the decedent was placed in refrigerated storage shortly after arrival. However, the board expressed the need for further investigation into the timeline of embalming and the family's communication with the funeral home regarding the decedent's care.

Additionally, a complaint regarding a funeral director's behavior at a banquet was discussed. The complainant alleged that the director was rude to hotel staff and had previously threatened bodily harm to others. However, the board found the allegations largely based on hearsay and recommended closure of the complaint due to insufficient evidence.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the need for clearer communication between funeral homes and families regarding service agreements, particularly when changes are made to arrangements. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining professional standards and accountability within the funeral service industry.