My boyfriend died in Oregon and his body was shipped to Ms. for burial. His family and the funeral home in Ms both acted suspiciously before and after the alleged services and burial. The funeral home couldn't even tell me where the burrial was and told me the cemetary listed on the d.c. didn't exist. Both family and funeral home also manipulated me into paying more than was neccesary by telling me they need X amount from me - or there would be no funeral/service - I learned later that the bill had allready been settled - days before the planned service. I was clearly decieved by both. the family is poor, the town small. to save $ or make $ could something besides a proper burial have taken place? Example: sold for medical research. or burried somewhere unknown, unmarked, without casket or grave marker? until I locate his grave, which I haven't been able to find, am I crazy for suspecting fowl play along these lines? has anyone ever heard of similliar instances?
2006-07-15 23:42:40 · 12 answers · asked by Redrum 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
no your not crazy.well dealing w/ small town " mom and pop shops " like this. there known to just put the bodies in sheds or sale them to medical for cadavers. i take it wasn't an open casket ? if you feel like you been a victim of fraud. report it to the BBB , states attorney gens office , etc..
2006-07-15 23:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It seems to be that both funeral homes would have to be in cahoots. That makes it more unlikely but not unheard of...I can understand your confusion. In Indiana if your boyfriend died young, under unusual circumstances, there would be an autopsy. So perhaps the coroner in Oregon would have information too. Secondly, the Death Certificate is an Official Document. Go to the courthouse (or call) where the dc was issued and ask to speak to someone about confusion on the dc. Try to work out with them about the problem with the funeral home. Perhaps they might have some suggestions about what might have happended and give you some ideas.
If you get more questions than answers, and since you paid the bill, you have the right to proceed further. Bodies aren't sold for medical research, only donated. I can't think of any cemetary where you don't have to have a grave marker. His body or record of his body has to exist somewhere. Technically 'they' could have pocketed a substantial amount of money by not burying the body and donating to medicine or scattering the ashes. If you have questions, perhaps you should contact an attorney. It shouldn't cost you too much $ to have the lawyer just talk to you and write a letter.
Finally, let me temper this all by saying, death of a loved one is one of the most stressfully times in your life. It's common for adults, many, many years later to have questions about death (did they really die...). So perhaps all this is really only confusion related to the stressful death of your boyfriend.
But follow your gut and go with your instincts. Good Luck.
2006-07-16 02:22:27 · answer #2 · answered by vbrink 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not an uncommon practice for funeral directors to require some amount of payment up front ( I'm a funeral director). It is also highly unlikely that the body was sold for medical purposes and even more unlikely that he was buried without a casket. Unfortunately with the new privacy act, as his girlfriend you would not be entitled to a death certificate. (They are obtained from Vital Records, and you must show just cause and relationship to the decendant to obtain one.) However, if you feel that something isn't right, contact the State Board of Funeral Directors in your state (every state is regulated by some type of board) and they will do a thorough and precise investigation.
2006-07-21 11:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by Reagan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, that goof in GA. was just throwing the bodies over the hill. Sorry, that sounds harsh, but there really isn't any soft way to say it.
The license bureau in the state where the cemetery is located should be able to direct you to it's location, and should also be able to direct you in further investigation if it does not exist.
I am sorry for your loss, and for the confusion. I hope you didn't get cheated in addition to losing your man.
2006-07-15 23:53:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you could have been taken. BUT by the family and the funeral home WOW. My question is why were you paying when he has family? With you paying, you should have been able to get ANY & ALL information you wanted.
2006-07-15 23:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know the sad thing about this is since you were not a relative (by marriage) and he had immediate family this kinda puts you out of loop..I am so sorry about this..this would make me very angry..did you have a bad relationship with your boyfriends family? how about your boyfriend and his relationship with his family..sounds like they got your money.. I wouldn't trust them to tell you where he is buried...all you have are memories..I am sorry
2006-07-21 13:25:22 · answer #6 · answered by FloNightingGale 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you aren't. You should take your concerns to whoever licenses Undertakers in your state. If you paid the money, you have the right to the information requested. I hope you pursue this.
2006-07-16 03:09:41 · answer #7 · answered by rhymingron 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry for your loss. This happens all the time. (See "Funeralgate" @ Wikipedia) Talk to the Better Business Bureau and if they are uncooperative, try the police. God bless.
2006-07-15 23:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by Happy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's a business.
2006-07-15 23:46:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to court and sue the bastard every last dime they have
2006-07-16 00:38:08 · answer #10 · answered by lepactodeloupes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋