A Pennsylvania funeral director’s license has been suspended over alleged delays in providing services. A river in California had become a favorite place to scatter composted human remains, until an outcry halted the process. And an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint has been filed against a Tennessee funeral home chain, claiming discrimination against the firm’s Black employees. These stories and more are in the week in funeral news.
NEWS
Pennsylvania Suspends Funeral Home and Director over Allegations of Delayed Services
By WJAC
A Pennsylvania funeral director and his funeral home have been suspended for two years following allegations of failing to properly provide services. Read more here.
Kentucky Woman Accused of Digging Up Her Father’s Remains
By Christopher Leach (Lexington Herald-Leader)
A Western Kentucky woman is accused of digging up and taking her father’s remains from a cemetery, according to Kentucky State Police and court documents. Read more here.
Taxpayer Funds Used to Pay for Private Funeral; Mayor Looks for Answers
By Tyisha Fernandes (WSB-TV)
Taxpayer money was used to pay for a private funeral, and College Park, GA, city leaders are wondering if that violated the law. A custodian who has been cleaning a public building for 10 years had a son die unexpectedly. He asked a council member for help because he couldn’t afford the entire cost of the funeral. That council member sent him to the city manager. What happened next is now under investigation. Read more here.
Family Discovers Mother's Headstone in Cemetery Moved Without Notification
By Cheryl Fiandaca (CBS News)
Julie Peterson was the heart of her family. Her daughter, Kristen Forte, said she loved everyone and had the best laugh. Peterson died of cancer on January 11, 2022. She was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA, and was to be laid to rest in the same plot with her younger brother who died when he was a child. Four years later, on January 11, 2026, Forte visited her mother's grave and immediately knew something was wrong. Read more here.
Outcry Halts Composted Human Remains Being Spread on San Joaquin River in California
By James Ward (Palm Springs Desert Sun)
Fresno County, CA, officials say they were “shocked” to learn that compost made from human remains was being spread on public land along the San Joaquin River in Central California. Read more here.
EEOC Lawsuit Claims Discrimination, Retaliation Against Black Employees at Memphis, TN, Funeral Home
By Kayla Solomon (Fox 13)
Claims of discrimination by Black employees have led to a federal investigation into a group that owns several funeral homes and cemeteries in the Mid-South. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, has filed a lawsuit against Stonemor Group, now known as Everstory Partners. Read more here.
“A Total Violation of My Parents,” Says Victim of Alleged Grave Robbers
By Carly Thomas (CBC News)
On a regular visit to his parents' final resting place at a Toronto, Canada, cemetery, Darren Mori made a disturbing discovery. The niche, a small compartment inside the mausoleum that holds his parents’ cremated remains, had been robbed. The urns containing their remains were intact, but cherished items including a jade ring belonging to his mother and a blue sapphire ring and frog pendant belonging to his father were gone. Read more here.