Man's body left on front porch after funeral home isn't paid for his cremation

AP ^ | Oct. 9, 2001 | CONNIE FARROW

[mdittmar]

Can this funeral home spell,MAJOR LAWSUIT?

[newzjunkey]

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, which licenses funeral homes in Missouri, was looking into the matter. The funeral home could face punishment ranging from a disciplinary letter to revocation of its license if the accusations are true, executive director Pat Handly said.

Oh no! Not a disciplinary letter! What are they going to do? Recovation of its license? Please. How about prison time? Civil liability. Such vile contempt by so-called professionals for fundamental human dignity (a veteran no less!) should not go unpunished.

[mountaineer]

Apparently, Hathaway Peterman Funeral Home believed it had been stiffed.

[aomagrat]

Any one seen the movie "Funny Farm"?

[Tijeras_Slim]

I agree that the funeral home should not have to provide services gratis. Yet, leaving the body of a WWII vet on the porch like a bag of trash is a bit much. That could have been handled a lot better.

[fone]

The funeral home should lose their license, and do some jail time for this hideous act!

Social un-Security only pays $251 when you die.

The real outrage here is that even our veterans can not afford to bury themselves. THAT is the real crime.

[FR_addict]

I disagree about a lawsuit. This funeral home is a business-- not a charity.

To sue a funeral home in this case only supports those out-of-control lawsuits that we've all heard about. The sue-happy masses have crippled US businesses and forced industry to flee our borders. Trial lawyers are the bad guys, not honest business which are merely trying to protect their profits. The funeral home was practicing capitalism. No cash- no ash.

It sounded like they didn't even drop the body off with the relatives that had the legal responsibility. I think the lady has a perfectly reasonable lawsuit. This is not the way to solve a problem like this. The funeral home coulld have taken the responsible parties to court for heaven's sake, not drop off the body on a porch.

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

I agree. I do think that dropping the old fellow off on the porch is a little heartless though.

[JRandomFreeper]

This funeral home is a business

You are correct that it is a business. They should not have accepted the body without a security deposit. Cremation should only cost $200. It was wrong to dump the body like that. Most counties have a Potter's Field fund to bury the indigent.

When my F-I-L passed away and the Wife found out what the funeral expenses were, she suggested that I use my tools in the shop to build my own coffin. Instead of a press-board box for $1100 to be cremated in, I have a hand-made, custom fitted pine box. I store spare antennas, etc, in it until I need it.

/john

[jlogajan]

Actually, the funeral home should sue it's PR firm. Cuz this is gonna be real bad for business.

[San Jacinto]

This is a dead issue. Let's move on.

[savedbygrace]

Apparently, Hathaway Peterman Funeral Home believed it had been stiffed.

This is REALLY beyond the pale.

[Tarheel]

....Funeral director Gary Peterman of Hathaway Peterman declined Monday to discuss King's allegation. ``I think out of respect to Mr. Holder, let's just let this issue drop,'' he said....

I don't think so--the state should pull the license of this insensitive person. (I really wanted to call him a blankety blank %$#@#$%, but I did not to get banned!)

The Tarheel

[Republic of Texas]

They can charge whatever they want, but cremation usually costs much less than $1200.

[Deep_6]

Awww jeez..

With all the problems we have..... this?

Why doesn't she just throw the damned thing in the dumpster
and get on with life...

 

[cinFLA]

To sue a funeral home in this case only supports those out-of-control lawsuits that we've all heard about. The sue-happy masses have crippled US businesses and forced industry to flee our borders. Trial lawyers are the bad guys, not honest business which are merely trying to protect their profits. The funeral home was practicing capitalism. No cash- no ash.

Sorry, but the funeral home should be sued for it's out of bounds behaviour.

[Demosthenes]

oh no you did not...