North Carolina Funeral Home Shut Down Amid Shocking Negligence Allegations
HENDERSONVILLE, NC – A long-standing Hendersonville funeral home, Thos. Shepherd & Son, has been ordered to immediately cease operations following a series of alarming complaints and a damning inspection by the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, as reported by the Hendersonville Lightning. The state board issued a summary suspension of the funeral home's license, its crematory permit at Shepherd Memorial Park, and the licenses of its key personnel, citing numerous violations of state law and a failure to adhere to a previous consent order.
The Hendersonville Lightning's report details how state law in North Carolina meticulously regulates all aspects of funeral services, burials, and cremations, emphasizing the proper handling of preneed insurance policies, death certificate filings, and the qualifications of those providing services. Compliance Inspector Darrell Cagle underscored the strict timelines for filing death certificates and the limitations placed on unlicensed employees regarding discussions with families about costs and financing.
However, a recent inspection conducted in June of this year, along with five specific complaints outlined in the state board's order and reported by the Hendersonville Lightning, painted a disturbing picture of operations at Thos. Shepherd & Son:
- Delayed Cremation and Body Release: A 2019 complaint detailed failures in timely cremation, release of a body to another funeral home, and the application for a death certificate, with the funeral home allegedly failing to provide records on the case to inspectors.
- Preneed Insurance Mismanagement: Another instance involved the funeral home attempting to collect from a preneed insurance policy despite assurance from another funeral home that they would pay directly for services.
- Unlicensed Employee Misconduct: An unlicensed employee reportedly provided detailed cost information to a family and the funeral home failed to timely notify the health department of a death or file a death certificate. Shockingly, this employee also admitted to ripping up a signed death certificate when the family chose another funeral home.
- Death Certificate and Cremation Delays: Multiple complaints highlighted significant delays in obtaining death certificates and performing cremations. In one instance, a cremation was performed by an unlicensed employee, the wrong release form was used, and cremation records were improperly documented. Another complaint revealed a cremation arranged at a different facility without family notification, with the funeral home falsely listing themselves as the performing crematory on the death certificate.
The Hendersonville Lightning further reported on the findings of the state board's inspection, which revealed an employee with an expired license practicing funeral services, failure to display a preneed establishment permit, mishandling of preneed insurance refunds, and a refrigeration unit at the crematory in disrepair with visible cremated remains and bone fragments. Disturbingly, two unlicensed employees were found to have performed cremations on at least seven occasions. The report also noted that the funeral home often housed decedents for over 24 hours without embalming or refrigeration.
This alarming situation underscores the critical importance of adhering to state regulations and maintaining proper facilities, including reliable refrigeration for the deceased. American Mortuary Coolers stands as a leading provider of high-quality morgue coolers and refrigeration units designed specifically for funeral homes and crematories. Ensuring adequate and well-maintained refrigeration is not merely a matter of compliance; it is a fundamental aspect of providing respectful and dignified care for the deceased, preventing the very issues highlighted in the Hendersonville Lightning's report.
The state board's swift action, including the summary suspension and a scheduled hearing, reflects the seriousness of these alleged violations. The Hendersonville Lightning noted that the funeral home's attorney sought a delay in the hearing, citing the owner's medical condition. However, the board proceeded with the suspension, emphasizing the immediate need to protect consumers.
The case of Thos. Shepherd & Son serves as a stark reminder that cutting corners on essential infrastructure and failing to adhere to licensing and operational regulations can have severe consequences, including the complete shutdown of a business. American Mortuary Coolers offers a comprehensive range of morgue coolers and refrigeration solutions that help funeral homes maintain compliance and uphold the highest standards of care. Investing in reliable equipment from American Mortuary Coolers is a proactive measure to avoid the kind of negligence and regulatory action detailed in the Hendersonville Lightning's report, ensuring the long-term viability and ethical operation of your firm.
#MorgueCoolers #FuneralHomeShutdown #NorthCarolinaNews #HendersonvilleNC #FuneralNegligence #AmericanMortuaryCoolers #FuneralHomeRegulations #BodyStorage #FuneralCompliance #RefrigerationForDeceased #EthicalFuneralService #FuneralIndustry #StateRegulations #ConsumerProtection #FuneralHomeFailures #ProperBodyStorage #MorgueEquipment #FuneralService #RegulatoryCompliance #DignifiedCare #AvoidNegligence #FuneralHomeOperations #NorthCarolinaFuneralBoard #FuneralHomeLicensing #MortuarySolutions