Scandal in Colorado Funeral Home Hot News Topic

[@Thatmortuaryprofessor]

Thanks for having me, Kari. Thanks for watching, everyone!

[@Luluisraging.86]

Thanks for covering this. I’m so angry! Because Colorado is My Native State! I still consider it home, even though I haven’t lived there since ‘81! My Nephew and his wife live in Colorado Springs. 😢

[@Luluisraging.86]

They NEED to be charged!!

[@Luluisraging.86]

This is MUCH BIGGER than what happened at Downard Funeral home, where I also lived in Pocatello, Idaho!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!!

[@cynthiamgrooms8195]

Seems there could Easily be a Private Site, or whatever it’s called, where Alerts, maybe in stages, are put out Immediately on it, by “venders”🙄who are Refusing Services, to others due to Nonpayment. I’m sure brains have already said, “That Won’t Work!”!!! But What’s the alternative to a profession, Hardly Anybody Not working in the field, who Don’t have Repeat Business every day like Starbucks, or a favorite restaurant Many eat at in a month, who’d be able to See, & Know that their quality has Literally gone to the rats?!? There should be a State & National registry Anyone involved in “The Business”, is Required to register on, with a certificate that is given for display in those businesses, for “Customers” to look for,& Every “financial mishaps” are recorded, with whoever Makes the complaint, stating IF & When the issue was solved-IT CAN BE DONE!!!

[@julieannemichelle]

That’s so gross!!! I can’t even imagine how horrible the scene and smell were. But most importantly how the families must have felt when they learned about this.

[@jerrizuber9422]

A neighbor did say it smelled like a rotten animal body. It's so sad.

[@julieannemichelle]

@@jerrizuber9422 I’m so fortunate that I don’t live anywhere near there. Yes, it really is sad.

[@KaritheMortician]

it would have been unbearable

[@gregorykacsandy5005]

Hello kari... Have you ever wrkd for one of these corrupt funeral homes ?. Thanks...

[@victoriagraham6470]

Lost my mom Oct 20th 2022 on my birthday. I'm still crushed. I would go absolutely mental if this happened to my mom. Holy Hell, there are no words for the families this affected.

[@darlenewillbrandt1628]

Thank you for sharing this information. It is so difficult when a professional doesn't behave in a professional manner. No matter if it is a Nurse a Dr., teacher, policeman funeral director. Trust is broken makes everyone else doing that job is now having even more be under pressure and regulations.

[@KaritheMortician]

Agreed

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

I remmember talking to Return to Nature about a job months ago, its interesting to see a firm close to me on the news.

[@KaritheMortician]

interesting

[@trishoconnor2169]

"Cement in an urn." BINGO! You called it. Now there are families coming forward saying that they think what they got was cement.

[@KaritheMortician]

kitty litter is another very comparable item

[@winterdame307]

This is unbelievable! What kind of human beings are these? This is absolutely a nightmare. As my grandma always would say, "Put them under the jail!" I fully agree. Animals' remains deserve better treatment than was given these unfortunate deceased victims. Wow! How low will some folks go?! Geez!!😢 So sad...

[@KaritheMortician]

It is a horrible situation

[@Danfromjonesboro]

This was sad to read about. Some beautiful people were left to rot there like they were nothing. I don’t know how you get over that as a family. Rest in Peace to the deceased.

[@compactc9]

Denver area resident, and this is now my first time hearing about this!

[@KaritheMortician]

Its been a big story for the last two days

[@denisesteinbrink1598]

This is so horrible for families. It is beyond comprehension. Thanks for sharing Kari and Faith.

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome

[@RitaS0831]

I heard about this yesterday. Horrible, I also feel sorry for neighbors. What was that funeral director thinking. I hope I never die in Colorado.

[@KaritheMortician]

it is a terrible situation

[@marciadichiara5688]

Horrible. When we see you both - it makes up for the illegal activity that colors funeral homes in a poor light. Keep doing what you do. ❤

[@Thatmortuaryprofessor]

Thank you!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@margarethutchens5463]

How horrible for the families

[@KaritheMortician]

very much so

[@BIGDAVE5352]

On the funeral home’s website is states that as of July 2023 they are no longer doing cremation services.

[@KaritheMortician]

So that begs the question...what was suppose to happen to these bodies and have they really been there since before july

[@BIGDAVE5352]

@@KaritheMortician They might send them to Denver to the medical examiner’s office for identification then off to be cremated.

[@peterredfern1174]

Thank you Kari and your guest for this enlightening report,as always innocenttill proven guilty but hopefully justice will be served for the families,thanks again,from ballarat in Oz.👋👋🙏🙏🙏🇦🇺

[@KaritheMortician]

you are welcome

[@milanmiladinovic2224]

Thank you both for making these incredibly interesting videos❤

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for watching!

[@panam747]

I bought a home and was amazed to fine I have 189 bodies in various states of decay in my home and don't know what to do either. I jacked up the A/C but the stench is getting out of control. Help! I thought of moving to Colorado.

[@lhea57]

This is so sad! Thank you for bringing this out.

[@KaritheMortician]

you are welcome

[@sirpablo199]

It is so sad, This profession is a calling . I hope the punishment for this individual or individuals is the harshest possible.

[@KaritheMortician]

time will tell

[@Khalito22]

Love, love, love, keep fighting for what is right, keep fighting for the next right thing.

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

This whole situation is so unfortunate, to say the least... Thanks for the discussion.

[@KaritheMortician]

agreed

[@charlotteehrhart9922]

Very well done ladies!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@karenpotter4272]

How could they possibly allow someone to be an embalmer without being licensed/trained?

[@stephenbangle6699]

Thats Sickening! How does this shit happen! So sad for all the families!

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@joncampos-cw2tk]

So glad you’re addressing this!!

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@candyboyer]

I've never understood how Colorado allows unlicensed people to be embalmers/directors.

[@KaritheMortician]

doesn't make sense

[@erinmerelli]

Thank you both

[@KaritheMortician]

you are welcome!

[@Ralph-r2i]

This is indeed horrifying,, but incredibly interesting..can’t wait to hear more as the story develops

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@CoolBreezeWyndi]

Thank you so much for doing this on an unbelievably devastating topic. (I wasn't able to watch the whole way through because I couldn't get past all the keyboard clicking).

[@KaritheMortician]

i tried to chat a few times but don't have a silent keyboard :)

[@garysansone2785]

Sad.....prayers for the deceased and their families...hope justice is served

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@Beano138]

Thank you both very much. I was lost about what was going on, but thanks to you both I am all caught up. Information was clear and very well spoken. I’m a new subscriber 😊 and I really enjoyed ur wealth of knowledge and looking forward to follow ups. 😊 thank you again…. Peace and joy 😊

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks

[@davidmckinney6577]

That's just beyond awful for something like that to happen in this modern day times. This is just wrong I hope they pay for that.

[@KaritheMortician]

very much so

[@Luluisraging.86]

In my NATIVE STATE! 😡 Plus, my nephew lives in Colorado Springs! I’m so sad!

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@pzkw6759]

Don't people who do things like this not realize this will eventually catch up to them?

[@KaritheMortician]

I think they don't know how to undo it

[@dante6985]

They probably started thinking they would do it once or twice THEN 'do things right'. Then after 10 or so they were in way over their heads and didn't know how to fix things.

[@susiebilk9905]

I lived Colorado Springs, many years ago, very sad

[@KaritheMortician]

:(

[@loveisthekey5737]

It should be a major felony in this case!! They definitely need to re-think their laws in Colorado on after death care!

[@KaritheMortician]

I am interested to see what they charge him with

[@richardgordon245]

Poor souls.poor souls that have to remove all those remains.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes sir

[@jamiekavanagh7987]

They have a website i just looked it up very sad situation

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@amandapanda7878]

why do people have to do this kind of stuff, its sickening

[@KaritheMortician]

It is

[@deannaburris905]

That is Horrible. I was born in Colorado Springs, CO. I have friends and family buried there.

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@marthakierstead3415]

So sad for the loved ones ! I guess I thought that licensing was nation wide not state by state . Learn something new everyday

[@KaritheMortician]

it is by state

[@nurselisa40]

There is a KZbin video showing when they moved into the Penrose building, and is an actual mortuary, not a warehouse.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes at one time it was a location but was not being used. Many funeral homes have what they call satellite locations and they only go there when a service is scheduled at that one

[@DUKECITYCREW]

Outstanding Video thank u

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@randyfritz333]

I hope there are other funeral directors stepping up to help, maybe even neighboring states.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes they will when bodies are released

[@hollywallis4191]

This just happened in carlinville Illinois. It's sad that people are so cavilear with other people's families

[@timmypenny2080]

Great job Kari. The cemetery that i mow and look after only does vaulted burials with a casket or urn. My mind wonders at times when mowing how many more generations of people will pass before we start to fill the ground with iron boxes. I still want to send you and Josh some good JOCO NC moonshine to sip on a cold nite after a hard day. Take care, Timmy

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you! That would be awesome. if you can get it here we will try it!

[@deniseroe5891]

Beyond horrible! Were these poor people, that were being stored , in cardboard box or just stacked one on the other?

[@denniscahill734]

Kari thank god you are here to represent true professional directors.

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@darlenewillbrandt1628]

I found out that my loved one creamiains were only sand that we were given and we burried in our famiy plot at the ceremony. After that, the funerial director was unlicensed and also didn't care for people who were in his care. He was paid for services but fell short of his responsibility . Alcohol abuse was his issue.

[@KaritheMortician]

Oh terrible!

[@dougger42]

As soon as I heard about this Colorado funeral director, I had thoughts of alcohol or drug abuse. I can imagine with this line of work, if a person has a weakness for substances and the temptations come up as they often do, it can easily get out of control without a strong support of their peers, family, or church. Kari, that might be a very interesting subject for discussion in the future? Forgive me if you've already covered it, I am fairly new to your awesome channel.

[@TheSaltySiren]

This is terrible! I’m so sorry. I can’t even begin to imagine how upset you and your family were when you discovered the sand.

[@darlenewillbrandt1628]

@TheSaltySiren I am the one of many in the community who were hurt by this man. He was operating without a license. Found a woman's body that had picked up from a nursing home in his garage and an infant in the basement. He asked me if I would donate my loved one (Male) to science. I said No they to be cremated.Same question 3 years later when ( female) wife of male before . So I talked with police they got urns from the cemetery . Sand in both unbroken urns. Never admitted how many others buried sand or what happened to my folks. He man went to jail, probation, and lost his family business. He is working as a bus person in a local bar and cooks in a local food truck in summer. He is a shell of the man he was. When I see him, I don't hate him. I feel sorry for him.

[@KaritheMortician]

how horrible!

[@deniseroe5891]

Something similar to this happened a few years ago to a small funeral home in Ft Worth. So sad and so wrong! In the case here, all the remains were found in the actual funeral home, right on a major intersection of roads. Disgusting.

[@Barker-sf5zw]

I did removals for a crematory for a while, and I was surprised at how many boxes of cremated remains they had stacked on shelves, going back many years. I asked why, and they said that for whatever reason, many of the families never picked them up or responded to requests to come pick them up or answered requests to allow the crematory to ship the ashes to the family. Others were being held because monies were still owed, and in the case of a few, there were ongoing disputes among family members as to who would get custody of the ashes. My point is, that my experience allowed me to see how some families do hire funeral homes to perform a cremation; maybe the families pay all or a portion of their bills, or they don't, but then the families are never heard from again. Consequently things like this case can happen, and nobody knows until a neighbor starts complaining about the smell.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes many remains are abandoned

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

My condolences to the families and friends. Thank you 🙏 for this educational video. Rip for manyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Amen 🙏.

[@randyfritz333]

Well, I’ll bet that Colorado Funeral Board will be making needed changes. They probably will be keeping a better eye on things.

[@KaritheMortician]

they didn't after the last situation

[@juliew1824]

It's about time you had national standards and licensing across the country. Like we have in the UK.

[@davidbrem6783]

Wow! How very sad for this to happen. At this point wouldn't it be best to cremate these bodies due to the advance decomp?

[@KaritheMortician]

they have to investigate to determine who each body is and then they can move forward with the chosen disposition

[@549BR]

Google reveals that the property has been visually screened, windows and doors boarded, and several white tents installed; wow, they had their work cut out for them. Some states have volunteer disaster mortuary teams that would be of use in this situation; Colorado probably does not. Thanks for your coverage Kari and Faith. 😎

[@michaelacurran9327]

I live in Cranston Rhode Island and I have lost my mom dad and two brothers all four times I saw them to their final resting place 😢

[@susanwarren398]

Shocked to hear Colorado has no licensing. That needs to change.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes they do!

[@rebeccaligda7762]

Where did the famalies think there loved ones were. Seems like the funeral home would have multiple bodies and the funeral home would have multiple calls from families. This is so very sad.😊

[@KaritheMortician]

Hard to know

[@malcolmmorrison9395]

So sad for all the families concerned

[@KaritheMortician]

Agreed!

[@brentsesler7811]

Wow!! A funeral home Scandal!!

[@randyfritz333]

This isn’t the first or last….

[@KaritheMortician]

yep they happen

[@SisterSunshineTV]

They must have accepted more bodies that they could handle. That said there is no excuse for letting bodies rot in the summer heat.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes they did

[@jpcolvin1]

My mom was identified, I am so upset, angry

[@KaritheMortician]

I am thankful she was identified so quickly for you but I am terribly sorry you have to be going through this process after believing she was at peace

[@deniseroe5891]

How horrible to know how your mom was treated. I can’t imagine what I would feel is they did this to my mom or dad.

[@susanweiss1439]

A Class D felony, pled DOWN to a misdemeanor? So, basically a slap on the wrist...more like slap in the face to the families. This couple needs to be in jail, for a long time.

[@KaritheMortician]

agreed

[@lindawade6335]

Sadly, this month there has been a story with the Heinz furneral home in Illinois giving the wrong creamains to families. This story is unfolding this month as well.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes!

[@elizabethlewis3509]

Did they have any cold storage?

[@KaritheMortician]

does not look like it

[@AudiophileTommy]

We’ll take your loved one (and surely your money ) BUT we can’t guarantee we’ll bury them 🎉🎉🎉

[@KaritheMortician]

Very sad

[@KaritheMortician]

You do not know the families ever paid in some cases

[@BigMamaKab]

Faith is hard to hear unfortunately.

[@KaritheMortician]

we will have her on a better mic next time

[@monaramsey2752]

I lived in Colorado Springs

[@tomroberts8111]

As of 8-7 2023 the web site was still on line. I read the obits from 6 mos to present and all looked fine. 115 unburied corpses equals how many months/years. "We will no longer be doing cremations other than our prepaid arrangements" Always use your local on site well established FH with on site retort. Bargain prices usually mean "regional " 3rd party businesses (crematory locations) Bottom line: Use ONLY local well known FH with on site crematory!!

[@AudiophileTommy]

@@tomroberts8111Just say NO to cremation !

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@thaimays6933]

Something like that happened heee in ri the neighbors was smelling a smell in the neighborhood and thats when they fohnd bodies in a garage one pwrson wasnt even id they had no imfo on them

[@KaritheMortician]

yeah the smell would have been unbelievable

[@thaimays6933]

@@KaritheMortician can the families sue?

[@elizabethlewis3509]

Because there is no regulations, will the funeral owner just walk away with no recourse? I can only imagine the money paid to handle the loved ones has been hidden to protect the owner.

[@KaritheMortician]

No he will be going away for a long time. There are regulations just no licensing

[@johnanderson3700]

It is astounding that Colorado would permit this. Is there a way for families to inquire about a funeral director’s qualifications before doing business with them. Sounds like from this case that having the license didn’t prevent the harm. Do any states have inspectors who can come to funeral homes without fore warning for inspection? If this can be done for restaurants, it surely should be done for funeral homes as well. Not only increased credentials, but some state agency with qualified inspectors needs to be able to inspect funeral homes every year at least, and also be able to make unannounced inspections.This, it seems, might be a measure to help prevent such things happening. I understand it adds a level of qualifications and likely expense, but it is not simply business practices, but I’m sure would also potentially have some health risks. Fortunately most funeral directors have not only the qualifications, but take great pride in both their work in embalming, etc., but in conducting business with integrity. There definitely need to be standards in every state.

[@johnallen1308]

that's like the Cantrell funeral home in Michigan I think it was that had babies in the ceiling just sick

[@KaritheMortician]

I still have never heard more about that and actual details

[@crystinapage9640]

Thank you for covering this. Can you reach out to me please? I hae questions.

[@KristieDS]

Sound gets better folks! Hang in there. ❤️😉

[@KaritheMortician]

thanks

[@danreinke8760]

Do you have a board of funeral directors and embalmers.

[@KaritheMortician]

they do not have licensing but do have regulations in CO

[@nataliecassidy4298]

Thanks KARI for having this lady on with you and trying to explain why this happened! From, OHIO

[@KaritheMortician]

You are welcome!

[@corinag.hernandez9959]

How sad prayers for all the families. I know that the smell would be unbearable and people would have been able to smell the stench

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@jessicablackburn7422]

Great content. Perhaps a quieter keyboard?

[@raphaelszok8561]

I hear on the news that they are some funeral directors selling organs. What would a dead persons organ do besides making spaghetti sauce?

[@KaritheMortician]

sick people buy stuff

[@DanaTobin-fm3wm]

None of this is anything new. There are crooks in every business field out there. The funeral home industry is no different. In fact, it may be more at risk of bad actors taking advantage of the lack of oversight of that particular industry. It's plain to see that the whole industry needs more inspections per year, at random. Not an inspector sent out when someone complains about a distinctive foul odor when passing by the parking garage of a funeral home! But government hates to spend money on the living, let alone the dead. Thanks.

[@gtoney7]

I'm confused as to why so many bodies were still there. I know it states natural etc. So no one had services of visitation then to be buried or cremated? This is beyond comprehension.

[@dougger42]

Thank you for addressing such a difficult subject. Kari, I think theres a big moth up in the corner behind you.

[@KaritheMortician]

It is not a moth but a lever to switch the flow of air

[@anthonygriffo5338]

that is terrible just terrible!

[@KaritheMortician]

agreed!

[@jeepgirl6814]

Why was my comment on misinformation deleted n not addressed by either of u? Kari, I have been subscribed to u for a long time n trusted accuracy on ur channel.

[@KaritheMortician]

We did not delete any messages. I allow almost all messages. Did you put it in the chat and not here in the messages section?

[@janeordway4841]

I’m thinking most of those Bodies are promised cremation. What is improper storage ? Are they in cardboard cremation boxes ? You would think the Bodies would have toe tags. In the end it will come down to greed the Asshole who owns the place took the money and ran.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes guessing cremation

[@raypropps]

When the laws written people had standards and morals. Now the laws must change. How did they stand the smell. I also know how it can be from the Funeral Home side

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@krissimmons4375]

IG is still up as of 10/09 @ 4:56

[@KaritheMortician]

thank you

[@Aquariun9iteMMare]

I've known John Michael for the last 15 years, rather I thought I did, and this doesn't seem real. I dont know his wife too well but he is the last person you'd expect this from. He is often the life of the party and very charismatic. You definitely wouldn't expect that seeing his mugshot but you really never truly know someone it seems.

[@KaritheMortician]

I don't expect he did this will ill will to start but it snow balled possibly...very sad

[@raphaelszok8561]

Had to be swarming with blow flies.

[@KaritheMortician]

I can not even imagine

[@scottjackson163]

You know that some major league slacking is in play when turkey vultures provide an early warning signal. Somebody didn’t tie up loose ends before going on vacation.

[@4Renee9]

What is that clicky sound during their this discussion? Distracting.

[@KaritheMortician]

typing :)

[@4Renee9]

👍

[@RikkiSpanish]

It really bothers me how low of a crime mishandling of human remains is. Death should not remove a person's humanity.

[@KaritheMortician]

yes it is wild

[@Wendyo630]

I think they were just arrested

[@cinderblockageelam8162]

Kari typing is torture on the ears. OMG1

[@randyfritz333]

Get ear plugs, it isn’t that bad or bad at all.

[@KaritheMortician]

sorry

[@d.b.walkerfleetlogisticsll210]

❤

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@richardgordon245]

Ick

[@KaritheMortician]

truly

[@cacola_3373]

Are you both working, being in the business for 40 years?

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes we both work in several areas of the business

[@debbykownacki1146]

Cari typing during the conversation was very annoying! The only time it stopped is when cari was talking. Very distracting!

[@KaritheMortician]

it is a live chat....that means i am also typing to those chatting

[@levinolan636]

Do you all understand the reason that funeral home was so well locked up ??? Because people have just been dying to get in.

[@KaritheMortician]

lordy

[@levinolan636]

@@KaritheMortician hope you liked my jokes. I thought was funny

[@dianneys4887]

I'm sure she's NEVER heard a tired old inappropriate joke about death before.

[@levinolan636]

@dianneys4887 no she hasn't so mind your own business typical grumpy hairy American. You're a peach