Bodies Taken From Modesto Funeral Home as Permits are Suspended

Seventeen bodies were removed from a downtown Modesto funeral home Friday after accusations that the business was taking too long to cremate them.

Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County's public health officer, said he suspended permits for burial or cremation to McGuire Cremation & Funeral Service as of May 1 in response to several complaints "regarding delays in cremation of family members."

Sgt. Anthony Bejaran, the sheriff's spokesman, said there has been an investigation into potential criminal and civil violations with the business for the past several months. He would not say what criminal charges could come of the investigation or even if anyone was arrested Friday.  Coroner's officials will assist family members with the final disposition of their loved ones.

Jessica Montoya-Juarez, communicable disease manager for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, said while the county stopped issuing permits for burial or cremation to McGuire, "We still are issuing death certificates."

Presumably, McGuire could still perform funeral services but can't handle disposition of any bodies until the matter is resolved.

Montoya-Juarez said authorities looked into the funeral home after receiving complaints and noticed some problems with the time between the issuance of permits and their completion, which also is filed with the county.

There also were problems with collecting payment for the permits, which cost $11 each.
Suspending permits is highly unusual.

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Bodies Taken From Modesto Funeral Home as Permits are Suspended

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2013/05/17/2720608/report-bodies-taken-away-from.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2013/05/17/2720608/report-bodies-taken-away-from.html#storylink=cpy