Should This Funeral Director Be Forgiven?

We had so many questions for Peter Stefan.
Donate to Peter Stefan's Go Fund Me Page: www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-...
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**CREDITS**
Mortician: Caitlin Doughty
Producer & Writer: Louise Hung (@LouiseHung1)
Editor & Graphics: Landis Blair (@landisblair)
**SELECTED SOURCES/ADDITIONAL READING**
"Worcester funeral director Peter Stefan gets license back"
www.telegram.com/news/2020012...
"2nd inspection prompted state to suspend license of funeral director Peter Stefan"
www.metrowestdailynews.com/ne...
"Bodies unclaimed: No one required to pick up the dead in Mass."
www.telegram.com/news/2019101...
"Abandoned bodies: Massachusetts' poor and unwanted are spending months waiting for burial"
www.masslive.com/news/2018/02...
"This Undertaker Buries the Bodies Nobody Else Will Touch"
narratively.com/this-undertak...
Ask a Mortician -- Caring for the Bodies of Terrorists
• CARING FOR THE BODIES ...

[@ButyoucancallmeKat]

I think this is a common case of media panic. “Man hides 9 bodies” sells a lot more than “funeral director failed by the system”

[@12sizednugget67]

Kat &co. Which I don’t understand? I get the shock value in headlines, but our world is so fucked that we blame the individual instead of fixing the system

[@MylingCyrus]

Wow I didn't even think of that. They wanted it to sound like he was stashing them in the basement like Ted Bundy when he's just a funeral director who didn't want to turn away a deceased human who he wanted to do something for

[@johndifrancisco3642]

And this is a piece of the reason our system is where it is. It's just like Caitlin's video on how we (say 1900s) distanced ourselves from the dead by jobbing it out whereas it was once a duty, if not at least an act of respect to take care of your own. Now it seems to becoming how we treat the living as well.

[@andreaedginwynn9171]

Agree completely!

[@Alicia-vq8jg]

Right

[@1978garfield]

I think "City refuses to authorize final disposition of bodies" is the real story rather than "Evil funeral director hoards rotting copses"

[@patriciasneed9832]

Absolutely. Maybe if they make the city and state and those that represent others look bad things would move quicker. Especially if the looking bad happened on an election year.

[@patriciasneed9832]

Absolutely. Maybe if they make the city and state and those that represent others look bad things would move quicker. Especially if the looking bad happened on an election year.

[@badbatdesigns]

Well said.

[@ktkt9982]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kimmichaluk3072]

Unfortunately it's too often about the infamous "lack of funds" on the the authorities or powers that be part...

[@theprogrammer32]

This man is picking up other people's litter and then the city is arresting him for owning trash because they wont run garbage trucks down his street. Not a single intelligent soul could hear half of his story without seeing he's a saint.

[@braincabbage]

that analogy is kind of unfortunate lol

[@qwitchyy]

@@braincabbage right?

[@JENSATFAR]

Well said, my friend

[@redvelvetunderground]

comparing human beings to garbage isn't a good look pal

[@hamjaro2920]

@@redvelvetunderground You do realise they are dead bodies, right? It's not saying their contributions as a living person contribute nothing. Just that their bodies deserve respect.

[@itweeb4765]

It looks like Peter Stefan passed away in March 2022 at 85. You did a great thing allowing him to tell his side of the story. May he rest in peace.

[@mirandaorcutt2279]

This man helped me cremated my uncle when we had limited funds. He has a heart of gold! The town screwed him over!

[@jenn7753]

Miranda Orcutt I hope that you and the scores of other people who he has helped band together and make your voices heard for him. Don’t just stand by quietly and let him be attacked by the government and media.

[@Zeldarw104]

Wow, beautiful.😢

[@SouthernBrideJS]

What an angel. The system failed him in this situation. He is trying to do a good deed for people. Abandoned or not, they were people with a story

[@rogersheddy6414]

I think the interview makes that plain.

[@lydiapurple2032]

Miranda Orcutt , did you witness the cremation, if not, how do you know you got the actual remains.

[@iamwindchakra]

He's not a greedy, corporate entity..he's doing the best he can. Honestly, he needs assistance. Who would assist him though? The state bureaucracy failed him. "Man hides 9 bodies" is more sensational than "Public Health and local authorities failed Funeral Home."

[@Ttyl4356]

Ashleigh Sanders I’m glad I wasn’t the only one bothered by the way the media portrayed this

[@lisaryherd4685]

Ashleigh Sanders Yes, I absolutely agree!!

[@rzum81]

The media always makes people look worse or the situation worse than it is. No sympathy for people like him.

[@donkimble]

That’s the damn truth. Local broadcast news is trash.

[@blackwidow1458]

@@rzum81 for "HIM"

[@bethmakley2167]

Unfortunately I visited the GoFundMe link only to eventually figure out that Peter Stefan passed away on March 22nd of this year. He did incredibly important work and I'm sad that we're currently unable to donate. I hope the funeral home will continue operating according to his motivations and desires.

[@loriboufford6342]

Thank you for your update. I was going to donate.

[@riversong7818]

Ohhh, no!! I am so very sorry to hear that sad news!! God Bless him!!

[@Anthonys_S]

I just found this out the now , I never knew about a go fund me so bless you for thinking of that but I’m sad he’s passed . He seemed a truly wonderful man.

[@klisterklister2367]

Restin peace Stefan

[@drew5358]

A genuine good person gone is always sad. Indeed hope his kindness and consideration continues through others.

[@AmandaHugandKiss411]

I can forgive him. He didn't abuse or desiccate these bodies. He took them to give them dignity and it came down to timing. He's a good man. His intentions were pure and the situation was sadly bad timing. That's how I see it. 😥💕

[@ClareAndAlec]

Desecrate* Desiccate (v): having all moisture removed, dried out

[@znab7610]

I agree. It's not like anybody else would have taken them. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't taken them. I also wonder what ended up happening with the bodies.

[@gabriellalynch2210]

@@ClareAndAlec I appreciate the effort but considering the sensitive topic, it's alittle tactless

[@ClareAndAlec]

@@gabriellalynch2210 I disagree but also don't really care what you think so...... 🤷‍♀️

[@gabriellalynch2210]

@@ClareAndAlec okay so...... Why respond at all

[@ghostfacegirl180]

I'm glad his license was only suspended and not revoked. His heart is clearly in the right place

[@patmanchester8045]

the local funeral homes should HAVE to take a turn in rotation and the state should pay them. the cremated remains should be given a group burial paid for either by the state or by a forced donation from all the funeral home.

[@SavageShooter93]

Me too, He is exactly the kind of person I want running a funeral home.

[@WhitneyRebel]

He's a kind human being.

[@sophiew1967]

Indeed ,I don't want to sound ' ghoulish' but but as someone who used to have an allotment for years here in England I can tell you that the ashes would make fine ' bone hawk's to enrich the earth in our parks or even farms ( not necessarily edible crops) as it's so high in nitrogen .I personally would rather to back into the earth to grow stuff than be put into a mass grave with a load of other people I.probably would be like .lol

[@willymccabe6602]

@@patmanchester8045 A forced donation from the funeral homes? Are you serious? What if it was YOUR business that was FORCED to give away its services for free? Bet you wouldn't be shooting your mouth off then.

[@sheilamacpherson4948]

The guy's guilty of having the rare condition if being a decent man.

[@unfairsanic5089]

Govt dosent care if you care especially if you care for poor and innocent people, if you dont follow their rules they will find a way to put blame on you

[@lightheidi9009]

I totally agree.

[@Melly241000]

I know! heaven forbid he's a good person!

[@christophermcdaniel9492]

It is very obvious that this guy, Peter, is the good guy here. 37 years ago was the last time an amount was placed on cost of disposal. Anyone knows that is way to long for there not to be a raise of any sort. This is 100% the city’s fault! And, this is a problem that is extremely easy to correct. The city is taking advantage of this man. And, to put the icing on the cake, the city CHARGED him after asking/getting him to take the bodies!!! Govt. is a disgusting hypocrisy!

[@kellynorman7452]

he's guilty of the way he disrespected bodies of people he doesn't even know so yes he deserves prison time

[@SobrietyCat]

"Money's only good for the good that it will do" I love this man more than life.

[@debraperez7171]

I wrote that down.

[@stevengosnell7034]

"This is someone's father, brother, son, you can't just leave them there" he purely sees them as people, as patients to be looked after and to be given respect I love it.

[@erinintechnicolourII]

I'd rather be decomposing in a body bag in the basement of a man that cared enough to take me, than dealt with impersonally by somebody who just wants my family's money.

[@OriLOK2]

Everyone decomposes eventually, this dude let them decompose in his HOME. if that ain't compassion

[@foxdurham784]

Ditto!

[@ivechang6720]

Well said. ♡

[@sharimagnetti3257]

Fully agree

[@feleciawhittington4054]

Amen!

[@Tanukibby]

Peter: *asks to cremate the unclaimed bodies* The government: *replies in a few months then gets upset when those bodies were found and were rotting *

[@GoogleAccount-oe9im]

casually sums it up very well

[@solayange]

Thats a good summary tbh

[@UK-gd7fp]

That’s the Government for ya!

[@MrsShortShoes]

That's Massachusetts for you.

[@iadorenewyork1]

Exactly.

[@av.punk.801]

"Potentially if there's a mass fatality situation..." *posted March 2020* She called it folks. She called it

[@morganstiefvater2019]

I had the same thought

[@Yo_Its_Matty_ice]

I had to look at the date on the video a few times and then I said "Oh shit..."

[@jenelaina5665]

@@Yo_Its_Matty_ice did the same

[@DarcOne13]

One month later...

[@renbaker5124]

I know I heard that I was like uh- 😳

[@msamios.321]

Rest in Peace, Peter. I just looked him up to see if life had been kind to him after watching this video. The memorial provided by Boston 25 News did not mention the improperly stored bodies. It did discuss many of his good deeds, including the way he openly accepted the victims of AIDS during the height of that crisis. The only controversy mentioned was the Boston Marathon Bomber, and that was discussed in a positive manner. I was glad to see that Worcester was remembering him with honor.

[@ikeekieeki]

"It is a war against the poor." it is. he should not have to bear the responsibility of society failing these people

[@Morbid_Freyja27]

Exactly.

[@Julietly76]

This is the truth at the heart of so many failings

[@Scottiferisawesome]

This man is such a Good Samaritan and it makes me sad how he was forced by the state to wait and then given the issues he was given again by the state. He may have made mistakes but I don’t think he was actually fully in the wrong.

[@dawnnakogee118]

I agree. He was forced into this position as a result of society's failings.

[@gloriahanes6490]

If cities across America cared for their poor and homeless, we would have shelters large enough for our sick and our poor. If our cities do not care about the living poor, then why would they care about the dead who are poor? Money and greed is what dominates mankind and the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. As Christ said, "the poor will always be with us".

[@tommclaughlin1041]

So let me get this straight. The state tells him to hold on to the people and not to cremate them until they say so. They drag their feet, but he does as hes told. Then upon a complaint, the state brings charges against him. Sounds like a clear case of entrapment here.

[@adde9506]

It's not entrapment. That isn't how entrapment works. But that doesn't make the state any less at fault.

[@froggygirl329]

Yeah, like she said, they made it a "him" problem, when he is an Angel for the indigent. I would be honored to be cared for by him.

[@timpalczynski1465]

I actually live fairly close to Worcester and the thing is Worcester is slow when it comes to most things that don't involve complaints my grandmother was burried by this company and hearing all this and what people have said so I'm glad to hear people finally talking about the truth

[@stevestadel9400]

That is the bureaucrats! Corrupt period.

[@toribenita_kyo]

Shame on the state for doing that.

[@edwardbornstein359]

Back in the 1980s or 1990s, a friend of my mother's passed away in a nursing home. She had no money left. A local funeral home took her for whatever small amount was provided by some part of the government, a few hundred dollars. My mother was surprised that the funeral home didn't stint things, they did a proper job with a good memorial service. She was impressed, so she told me that when her time came, I was to take her there and pay full price for a memorial service and cremation. Which I did when the time came, and I did the same with my father in turn.

[@CCNuck]

That is so kind of that funeral home, and so kind of your mother, and so kind of you, as well.

[@asron03]

Peter died on March 22nd, 2022. Thank you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of the dead and their families.

[@theGhostWolfe]

“Peter shouldn’t take them all.” NO. Peter shouldn’t *have to* take them all. The state shouldn’t have put him in that position to begin with.

[@camikay3730]

Yes! Exactly this.

[@xxbreebee97xx86]

Exactly!! Every state should have a funeral home and cemetery simply for these unclaimed bodies!

[@fortusvictus8297]

If you call an ambulance service, or hospital admissions and they see there isn't enough money in it they still cannot refuse service. If that patient then dies why is it funeral homes CAN refuse service? Makes no sense as all that really needs to change is either offering more money (soft hand good capitalism approach) or some bureaucratic tyranny requiring anyone applying for a mortuary business licence to agree to accept all bodies on a rotation based system...as private ambulances already have to.

[@QuidNinja]

Short answer: YES, he is forgiven and the world doesn’t deserve him, he’s too good for us.

[@Callie83]

Perfectly stated. People like him are few and far between now. Everyone is only looking out for themselves. I hope this softens a few hearts in the industry, or at least those that have the ability may be more offering to assist.

[@eldritchmongrel]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@BenTvHowman]

Well said

[@Carol-D.1324]

So very well said ❤️

[@emilygriffin125]

Agreed

[@lucieirl]

Rest in peace, Mr Stefan. We will carry on the fight in the war against the poor :-)

[@OndriaDancingStar]

I bet you are poor by age 50🧑‍🎤

[@boombasett6038]

@@OndriaDancingStar Is living from paycheck to paycheck considered poor? because millions of Americans go through this. No matter your age.

[@jackrabbit5047]

I remember this story and how "macabre" the media made him out to be. Thank you for the wonderful presentation of his side. My sympathies lie entirely with him. I am convinced he is a man of integrity who is struggling to do his best.

[@TurtleSquirrles]

The poor man. He’s basically the Mr Rogers of funeral

[@elenavivi2662]

hopeailicious👏😂damn! I wish I said that.🖤

[@thethrowawaythatstayed7055]

hopeailicious omg so well put

[@thisoldnurse1521]

❤️

[@PuddinTater]

Very well put.

[@ThePhantomSafetyPin]

Oh god no. I'mma cry just reading that because it's true. ;~; I hope to God with the COVID-19 crisis right now, he's doing okay. Can we make this man the official Grandpa of every Deathling?

[@kimchi2780]

This man needs a GoFund me to help get him more equipment and rebuild his reputation. He's an angel.

[@sese6227]

That's a start, but it's only a band-aid.

[@thainaasoares]

i watched the whole video thinking if someone else had done this already

[@thainaasoares]

and yes, he is an absolutely angel, i wanna hug him so bad 🥺🥰

[@pleasureincontempt3645]

@Kim Chi No. Not a gofundme. It’s governmental acknowledgement and finanace. This type of shit doesn’t fly in Canada or any other first-world country except the US.

[@braincabbage]

that's not a solution to a problem that exists nationwide where governments and local authorities don't take care of people's dead bodies (like the unclaimed dead)

[@aaronholmes8568]

If he turns away a body, who will take that person? He's helping people at one of the worst stages of life. The man has compassion way beyond most.

[@winterwatson6811]

seriously! would the hospital have just tossed the nine bodies in with the medical waste?

[@karinalumen9722]

The body probably becames part of the state, and of course they would then sell them for “testing”

[@drij]

Watching this video a full year into the pandemic and seeing you talk about a "mass casualty event" sent shivers down my spine. I really hope he's doing well through this nightmare situation.

[@willmendoza8498]

Same

[@Langley_Ackerman19]

Caitoyn should do a follow up to this story post pandemic.

[@TheShmoodle]

@@Langley_Ackerman19 agreed. I wonder how he’s doing with all the current bodies

[@belladonnaaberration]

exactly what i thought, 2 years later.

[@kaichase2725]

The man took off his tie and put it on the woman’s husband out of respect. The system failed this man and the media tried to spin the story against him.

[@johncollins7423]

That is a powerful sign of the quality of his character, taking off his own tie to put it on the deceased because the deceased's widow liked his tie better? Personally, he sounds like the kind of funeral director I'd want to take care of me when my time comes.

[@coolchef64]

Did he accept bodies under the assumption that they would be buried or cremated? Or did he just say, 'I'll take the bodies.' just to take them off thier hands and then they look the other way? It should be obvious who the "bad guy" is here but I believe it's how you want to see it. -s

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

coolchef64 To give him credit, he had no reason to assume the city government wouldn’t promptly give him the forms, or at least sooner then they did. You can’t be mad at him for expecting something reasonable

[@adelaidemarie]

Kai Chase the media is always spinning stories.

[@stephhhie17]

@@coolchef64 ...what do you think a funeral home does/what do you think the purpose of the State handing off the bodies to local funeral homes is for? The expectation is that the bodies will be buried or cremated, not the assumption. Except in Massachusetts, you have to get permission from the Board of Health to cremate unclaimed remains. So Stefan accepted the bodies from UMass Memorial, which were already well into the decomposition process as a result of being held for months to over a year, and asked for the cremation permits from the Board of health... at which point they promptly slept on that request for 4 months.

[@Amazatastic]

"money's only good for the good it'll do" "it's the war against the poor" go off king 👑

[@Yo_Its_Matty_ice]

Dude definitely gets it

[@wayneperkins109]

He's a good man who tried to do a good thing, but never the less he broke the law. The law needs to be changed to increase the cremation allowance and tackle this nationwide problem.

[@ninachkah13]

He is def is a king

[@jack-a-lopium]

Urk, I'm crying... this situation is so sad. 😿

[@No-sv6mu]

The State should have to give the authorization papers to cremate when the body is picked up. They did him so wrong. And he is right; the State should pay a fair amount. The State isn't providing an essential service and instead pushing it off on private businesses. State should pay up.

[@tailspinart]

My hometown. Thank you for pronouncing Worcester correctly! 😁 I remember when the media went crazy over him taking in the Boston Marathon bomber's body, but they failed to mention how he's helped so many in the community. I'm glad someone covered this side of him.

[@lottieanderson5368]

This man was vilified by the media for doing what needed to be done. He doesn’t need forgiveness: he did what none one else would 💞

[@kileygarrett2141]

I agree. The media did a terrible job covering this and hopefully this will stand as an example of how NOT to cover something like this. The press’ job is to hold the government and everyone else accountable, it is to find the truth a report it, quite literally, and that’s just not what the press did in this case, and it’s a terrible violation of media ethics.

[@lalalablablabla2130]

@@kileygarrett2141 there are no media ethics anymore nor any journalists just activists who write outrage porn. Rip journalism and bury the stinking mess

[@pizzaparty9783]

I'm not mad at this guy at all. Seems like he's doing the best he can.

[@jenn7753]

pizzaparty978 I agree. He’s a good person who was trying his best to do good and he got overwhelmed. There obviously is not a good system in place to help people like him because HE is the last line of help for these unclaimed people.

[@brandishwar]

@@jenn7753 And he only got overwhelmed because he expected the government to move much faster than it did. In actuality when he agreed to take the remains, there should've been an authorization for cremation/burial within 24 hours, if not being handed to him when he took possession. He shouldn't have had to wait. Which makes me wonder: what is the underlying bureaucracy to get the needed authorizations, and how could that be streamlined?

[@amyyy___]

pizzaparty978 i agree.

[@schoenabby]

There’s nothing to forgive. There was no harm. He is a man doing his best in a broken system. I’m quite glad that his story is being shared. I have so much respect for him. No one deserves to be left behind. This genuinely made me cry. Bless this man.

[@justkittensbeingkittens5892]

It is really so sad how when people are poor/homeless etc they’re “less dead” so no one cares about them and murder investigations get neglected and it’s heartwarming that this wonderful man is showing these neglected people respect and he’s trying his best

[@amandarose1586]

Listen. If I died right now, I would wholeheartedly trust him with my body. He's an angel.

[@salenebrom6476]

Amanda Rose 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Sssssssslf]

@Michael Persico unusual random thought!

[@LittleMissLion]

I feel I would trust him MORE because he actually gives a shit about the whole population, not just the privileged.

[@zoeeee2952]

So basically he's a sweet old man just trying to help as many people as possible and he took on more than he could store, which would have been ok if the paperwork went through faster.

[@Lin.Stone.]

Right On

[@abbywilliams9015]

Rest In Peace Peter! Had to revisit this video after hearing he died, I hope people will carry on his legacy.

[@misterchristopher8857]

This gentlemen has a rare level of compassion blended with a pragmatic concern for the unmourned, forgotten and abandoned. This strikes me as likely an on-going crisis across the country, especially in time of challenges such as the recent pandemic. We have a huge homeless population in the Phoenix Metro area. Thank you Caitlin for this investigative journalistic approach.

[@withazcooper1464]

No forgiveness is needed because there was no sin. This man is a good man.

[@PurposedD]

Agreed...no apologizes are warranted.

[@helenchappell6502]

PurposedD save from the city, which dumped their problem on this man’s generosity.

[@blueisasomedancer]

This is so cool?? She's really out here doing some journalism for us.

[@vallisdaemonumofficial]

*Cool?* Poor choice of words, but I feel it

[@thegreatcatsby409]

I agree, great journalism 🗒✏📰🎥👍

[@caramelcoffees]

death journalism!!!

[@Hiforest]

She'd mentioned in a previous video that there was some videos she was editing (as she'd planned to take a month off - I dont think she was planning on lockdown, however ;))

[@sergioliberates]

I agree. Hopefully the Fake News will can learn from her.

[@josephbarnes6477]

This old dude is the salt of the earth. I'd love to work with this guy.

[@blc28x]

“The war against the poor”... how sad and true...

[@charlimartin8709]

This poor man! They won’t pay him, they won’t let him properly care for the remains without jumping through hoops, and then they vilify him for their own inaction

[@johanvajse8410]

they DID pay him - $1100 per body he thinks it should be $2900

[@cfor8129]

@@johanvajse8410 that's how much it costs to provide the service.

[@johanvajse8410]

@@cfor8129 these are unclaimed bodies so no need for a service. That is the marked up price for a funeral. He could do the cremation for the $1100 he was given. It's a lot less than that in many states.

[@jnn6201]

@@johanvajse8410 But he wasn't asking for more money. Yes, he believes the state should pay more, but that wasn't the issue. He took the nine bodies under the assumption that he would be given the permits to cremate in a timely manner. The city and/or state (I can't remember which) failed to give the permits for four months, which is beyond inexcusable. He probably shouldn't have taken the bodies, or at least not taken more than the three his refrigeration unit could hold, knowing that he couldn't keep them more than a few days before he'd have a problem. That is on him, and he acknowledges that. The point between the $1100 and $2800 is that if the price the state pays had better kept up with inflation for the past 32 years, more funeral homes would step up and take the bodies of the indigent and unclaimed.

[@helenanilsson5666]

@@johanvajse8410 If the state wants private companies to deal with unclaimed bodies, then the state should pay the price of hiring private companies. If the private sector price tag is "marked up" really, their only option is to open state-owned funeral homes and crematories and take care of the unclaimed bodies themselves. Except that would probably feel too communist in USA so they have to use private companies. And therefore should pay the full price tag.

[@emmaw8763]

He's been let down by the State. He's a wonderful human and this is NOT ok.

[@seanmcgrath3826]

I forgave him shortly after the video started. The world NEEDS more people like him

[@sammoore9209]

Yeah, masshole here, our state sucks

[@chuckienunyobiz1882]

Thank you. I had not a glimmer of an idea of this problem. One just assumes such things are 'handled'. My own mother was cremated this way. They allowed me to claim her with no mention of their burden of cost. I do hope Stefan's story helps, at LEAST with the stalling of permissions!!!!

[@cormbreb]

Thanks for the professional/insider take on this. I'm sure the headlines outraged people but it's nice to see an actual professional in the industry give us their take on it. It's a shame it really is a war on the poor and someone has to take these bodies in eventually.

[@alisonsnell]

“Used in a mass fatality situation as well” .... This man saw the future and he decided to be prepared beforehand

[@skunkrat01]

My mum is a minister, and she’s exactly like Peter. Every time a family can’t afford a funeral, the funeral directors call my mum, coz they know she’ll do it for free.

[@phadenswandemil4345]

Your mum's awesome

[@ravenghostly1472]

If your mom really believes in the Bible then she would know God said ONLY MEN can be pastors & ministers and heads of churches.

[@catenthusiast81]

@@ravenghostly1472 really? Come on. I'm fairly certain that type of hateful, sexist comment is NOT welcome here.

[@evaann-louise2408]

@@ravenghostly1472 gender shouldn't matter, she is doing something good for her community. Degrading that based purely based on gender is wrong. She wants to serve God, let her. Its not your decision.

[@lenaboyer6981]

Raven Ghostly What in the goodness gracious is this comment doing in 2020

[@Kitsune1414]

"How can you say no? That's someone's father, mother, sister, brother, child." A good man! A man who can see humanity where others would just see a body, a case, or money. A man, who may not take the shirt off his back but *will* offer you the tie off his neck! The government needs to learn how to take care of the people they represent or, better yet, we should vote in people who will.

[@neysaedwards-turnbull4494]

Well said

[@RealElongatedMuskrat]

He has a great heart and it's so terrible that he's having to take the heat for mistakes that weren't his.

[@dinglebarry528]

Amen to that last line!!

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

Sounds like the city government, in this case, are the ones that need voted out! They're the ones that caused this mess, to begin with.

[@briarrose5208]

“Money’s only good for what good it’ll do.” I love this guy. “There’s a war against the poor.” There sure is. And society at large doesn’t even give a crap about the living, never mind the dead.

[@Who-Dunnit]

Rest in peace, Mr. Stefan. What a good man, a truly and tirelessly good man, as much in his principles as in his actions.

[@joejaramillo2044]

You can see that this gentleman genuinely cares, and it upsets him. There is a special place in Heaven for a man like him. Excellent story.

[@stuartd9741]

Indeed seemed like an old school principaled man. Beset by bureaucracy.

[@butterflyprincssus]

Exactly! He seems like such a beautiful soul

[@TENNESSEETORNADO]

agreed... his heart is in the right place

[@gabriellerussell8484]

Amen

[@melmack2003]

Whether there's a heaven is to be determined....he needs to be supported and appreciated here on Earth.

[@lynnettehendersen1317]

Peter is old school, he is simply guilty of giving a damn about his fellow man. I certainly hope that his do unto others attitude will secure him a place of eternal happiness in the afterlife.

[@Sssssssslf]

Well said! 👏

[@amymuse2004]

Yes!! Exactly ❤️

[@torytrice4016]

That would be nice,but I doubt that. God is pretty horrible & makes no sense himself. This man will more than likely get no credit for trying to do good.

[@melissaevans4396]

Lynnette Hendersen absolutely. I commend you on your statement.

[@marieg1160]

Did they ever start a GoFundMe to help him and his funeral home? This man is doing such good works. He's a hero.

[@VictoriaMarch13]

Sadly he passed away in March of 2022.

[@Biggestgayestbird]

I came to this video after Peter’s passing. I found his obituary and while his words moved me generally, it was reading about his willingness to care for AIDS patients during the AIDS crisis that ultimately made me cry. Thank you Peter for our community’s humanity when we needed it the most, you’re a true ally and that means the world to me.

[@cassandralyris4918]

So the CITY denied him authorization and then tried to fine HIM? That is incredibly dirty. Someone wanted to take this man down. Sounds like a classic set up to me...

[@Younecorn]

As a resident of Massachusetts, specifically near Worcester...there's a lot of dirty shit in a lot of the towns on the coast near Boston. The suburbs of the city are rife with old policies and the towns hold board members that care more about the money than the people, and their own businesses over the betterment of the town itself. This is unfortunately a very common and unsurprising thing to see.

[@katmandudawn8417]

If I had to guess, one of the big mega funeral co.s who had friends in high places. But once he was out of the way, they sure as hell wouldn't be taking these dead if it would cost them money. That might well change too. Their powerful "friend" could get the payscale updated and maybe a little gift for themselves. Too bad this troublesome old man insists on doing the honorable thing. Keep up the good work, sir. We need you more than ever. Stay safe.

[@DarkAngel71180]

Joan Harding ok looney toons that no that makes no sense but ok.

[@tartnouveau3652]

I think it’s more like they don’t want to spend money but they’re fine making money

[@karentucker2161]

Yep so the city won't"look bad". They look bad anyways

[@wilmaridutoit7400]

If the state wants his service , then he should be paid accordingly and the paperwork should be completed in an appropriate time. Yes , he is forgiven.

[@lezzleee]

Yes but then we'd all have to pay or taxes (and of course distribute them properly) & so many people are so very anti-taxes

[@davepunkt1232]

I'm living in Germany. Here the State and local authorities steps in for paying a simple burial, when the body of the deceased is unclaimed or the nearest kin can't really afford a burial. Perhaps it's not a question of taxpayers willingness to pay someone's burial, rather for the government willingness to stepping in, if necessary. Maybe just maybe, when it works in Germany, perhaps it works in the U.S.

[@atom_gray]

@@davepunkt1232 nothing "works" in the US unless some useless middleman can make a profit. this is an ethical man trapped in a failed state. i fought a similar battle many years ago.

[@angeldark404]

@@atom_gray well said. It exemplifies American society as a whole.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Absolutely correct, it is a fundamental task of local government to arrange the disposal off paupers and unclaimed dead. Hell, there are decrees in England 1000 years old stipulating how this would be done and funded. The bottom line is that the government is failing in one of its primary duties: public health.

[@amandacaterina6650]

This man deserves accolades, and support. His heart is pure gold.

[@ItMeSinamenRoll]

Caitlin: “… mass fatality… situation.” Me: *checks publish date* “ooohhh.”

[@alospm]

Good ol’ February 2020. We were all a bit less personally involved with mass death back then. Funny to think there was a time before the military was sending body refrigeration trucks into American cities.

[@reneearcher9531]

Absolutely. It wasn’t his fault that the government didn’t act in a timely manner.

[@laydeeTeaAurora]

I live in Massachusetts so I know how they are when it comes to getting things done. They drag their feet

[@aguy2162]

He shouldve never taken them if he didnt have the space. Bottom line

[@lenaroma320]

@@aguy2162 he was planning to cremate them right away, which meant he wouldve need cooler space for them. He has done this many times before so he knew the procedure but for some reason the government didn't give him the clearance to cremate them until 4 damn months later. They did something wrong, they are at fault, not him. Period.

[@Sheghostly]

@@aguy2162 He has plenty of space for a box of ashes, which is what he fully intend to make them into within a handful of days. But legally, he couldn't. The state was extrodinarily irresponsible for giving him the bodies to care for without the paperwork. Or an alternative take: the state should've verified he had the space to begin with, even if he was in the wrong.

[@charitienicholas9631]

As he said, "yes and no," the red tape is the bigger issue and that area and regional facilities have come to depend on him, but they weren't willing to back him and help the process.

[@MichelleRaiford]

"She calls me three times a year to thank me for changing his tie." That says it all for me. He is a good man.

[@SnowFamilyOf4]

💖

[@marianamarin4555]

That just warm my heart...

[@stevemcmahan8277]

He sure is Michelle Raiford.

[@beckymcdonald9529]

That last line! So freaking sweet

[@AyJay53810]

He is a good man. So sorry the system bit him as it does to many good people. I like him, the city wanted to hold its officials accountable.

[@Sinnistering]

just saw he passed recently, in april. an incredible loss to the community. i can forgive mistakes, especially mistakes compounded by state bureaucracy. he was an amazing person, and a bastion of death rights. may he rest in peace, and may all those unclaimed souls find a resting place as well.

[@sylviayoung6574]

Mr. Stefan is an old school gentleman who is in the business not for the sake of wealth but for the sake of the human condition. What a very rare and beloved soul he is. God Bless you dear sir.

[@Candace1008]

He got overwhelmed trying to help . That’s the point . The media likes to spin things in a bad light ... this man is a hero not a villain .. nobody can convince me otherwise.

[@adamandrews8534]

Candace Brannock, you mean to say the media is often less than honest? No.

[@colleen7548]

Lisa Whit How thought provoking! It's almost like you're obsessed with other people's sexuality, to a fault. Get a hobby, Lisa.

[@stepford702]

@@colleen7548 Huh? I'm missing something. Who are you talking to?

[@johnpalermo4466]

Agreed

[@elonmusksarmpit2424]

Colleen Bananarama what did the original comment say?

[@roseweed1468]

This man’s kindness runs deeper than his pockets. This city should be treating this man very well. He’s caring for people that no one else wants to. 🥺 He’s not trying to hide anything.

[@katmandudawn8417]

Or make a buck. Having caring for these people one last time is honorable. He should be supported and lauded, not vilified. This my favorite video....it was not just for entertainment. Also, he sounded like my Dad, who was for Salem. I miss him.

[@iadorenewyork1]

He became overwhelmed for a short time. It's almost like his big heart got him into trouble.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

@@iadorenewyork1 no, it was the city that put him *into* that trouble, by taking far, far too long to get the paperwork he needed to him, so he could do the right thing!

[@rneercats4574]

Rest in peace Peter. I love you.

[@raeorion]

Posted March 2020, makes that, "just in case there's a mass fatality event," hit hard 😭🙏🏻 glad he got those new units.

[@sylvbell1460]

“The war on poor people” I love him!! “Money’s only good for what good it can do.” wow I’m gonna be saying that one now. This is a fantastic video. Peter is a hero.

[@johnpalermo4466]

I agree! 👏💯

[@cathydemuth8241]

I agree too

[@elisebond]

Yes, he seems like a sweet heart.

[@rachelmalkoski4627]

@@elisebond he is. He is such a fighter for the folks no one fights for. He hates the stupid bureaucracy.

[@mcbrian]

"Who cares about the blame game, just get it done" was my favorite. He's definitely got that old school wisdom

[@tecnotrog1]

The state used him as the scapegoat for the state's own ineptitude.

[@stormisuedonym4599]

A tale as old as time.

[@ajc5869]

Being from Massachusetts, I can tell you how typical that is.

[@CatrionaCharles]

Exactly, if the city law department gave him the forms he needed in a timely manner, none of it would have happened.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

It was the city's ineptitude that caused this, not the state. Although, the state is the one that hasn't raised the payment for these people to get cremated, as well, that would definitely help, too. But the first, main reason for the situation he got in trouble was that the city didn't get off their arses and get him that necessary paperwork!

[@stonedsasquatch]

Peter is a General in the war on the poor. It's so good to hear the real story instead of what ny news portrayed. Peter is a great man

[@toribielewitz6082]

I can't imagine how he's feeling with covid now. His heart must be breaking.

[@Slikx666]

It sounds like the only thing Peter is guilty of is being a caring human being.

[@VulcanTrekkie45]

"I really don't mean these to be fighting words against the state of Massachusetts." That won't stop me, a resident of Massachusetts, from sending this to my state rep because this is something they need to hear.

[@dangitgayle555]

Please please do, keep us updated

[@dianethornhill3651]

Thank you! Hope you get results.

[@klisterklister2367]

You are a trooper!

[@MzClementine]

Spencer O'Dowd please Spencer please help. Please look into Dr. Shiva for Massachusetts state senate. Please we need him. I beg of you. Especially with Bill and Melinda Gates and all that’s going on. We need him in the senate. Please. Look him up. The left side is burrowing his messages and info. They have been trying to claim he doesn’t have to show when it’s key time to. Please listen to his message and his research. I beg. Please. For your health and mine. I’m the genetic type he claims have issues with vaccines. And how the healthcare system is ruled by chemical pharmaceuticals... I react with vaccines. Been hospitalized two times. 9 days and 16 days. Forced flu shots. I carry MTHFR and RCCX SNP gene mutations. I can’t methylate properly. My son as well. The 2nd forced flu shot came with 3 1/2 14 weeks of physical therapy to learn how to walk again. I am a professional dancer. Studied at the performing arts of Pittsburgh... I’ve had 21 parts in total of the Nutcracker, in 3 years. I’m a strong healthy woman, yet my genes aren’t like everyone else’s. Please I explore you to talk about Dr. Shiva and support his work, he truly has health first, before the mighty buck... 💸

[@waygoblue4729]

Proud to be the 800th like to this comment! Bravo, Spencer O'Dowd!

[@jujubih9343]

This man DESERVES to be forgiven; plain & simple. A real saint.

[@orionsbelttarot]

RIP Peter Stefan, your heart ❤️ was pure gold, what an incredible person. I'm so glad Caitlin got the chance to do this before his passing. What an eye-opening video. We need to do better taking care of ALL of humanity. Regardless of status or income.

[@slynch1047]

He said it perfectly, "it's a war against the poor".

[@myswanktrendz]

Scarlett Lynch - I bet that's why the ashes are left there as well. People may be afraid they are expected to pay $$ for the cremation, and since they have no money, they figure they would not be allowed to take their loved one.

[@stevenunyabidness]

American capitalism in a nutshell.

[@Lauren-gs1eh]

Eat Allthedicks capitalism is a good thing, it allows anyone to become rich if you work hard and have good ideas

[@LittleKroh]

When my mom died, my dad had to pay nearly 4,000 dollars on cremation. He couldn't afford a burial, and we couldn't afford a funeral. It took him over 2 years to pay that off. Growing up, my dad worked multiple jobs while my mom was disabled, we relied on school lunches, food stamps, and donation food boxes to get by for a long time. When my mom passed, my dad was FINALLY finding some ground under his feat for the first time in 25 years. And in a blink of an eye, he was thrust into debt again. That was nearly 4 years ago, luckily my dad had a change of careers at the ripe age of 53, and he is doing much better financially.

[@stevenunyabidness]

Tell Tesla that joke, he’d appreciate it.

[@ayakotami3318]

"Money only good for what good it'll do." Quote of the year! There's a special place in Heaven for him.

[@Kayla-ly8rm]

Honestly! He is so dead set on being a good natured human being, those kind of people always say the things that really stick.

[@mxpronounced3224]

What a legend!

[@ava_marie_v]

His quote about there being a war on the poor is also very relevant too, I believe.

[@neuralmute]

@@ava_marie_v Absolutely. He's right about everything here.

[@seanmcgrath3826]

His place in the Afterlife will be with Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross, and all the others like them...

[@atjenhansonify]

This man deserves so much better. Thank you, Caitlin for show casing him

[@lynnvachon9455]

My son died of an overdose of Fentynal, Aug of 2018. I had no money and neither did he. The hospital social worker sent me to Peter, she said there was a cremation benefit allowed by Masshealth (medicaid) and that Peter knew how to deal with the red tape, that he was the only funeral director willing to deal with Masshealth.... Peter treated my family ; like family. He dealt with Masshealth, the medical examiner and creamatory.... He loving gave me his ashes 2 weeks later.... My son had been in recovery for 2 years before the relapse that led to death. He was leading a holistic life that included spending time in nature. We had a lovely celebration of life at a his favorite local park to spread some of his ashes... I will be forever grateful for Peter and the respect he showed my son... It was total BS how the news reported this initially! Thank you for doing this video. Peter deserved that respect! Tommy Vachon 5/22/92-8/9/18 💜

[@feliciadale1740]

I personally forgive him entirely. And I'll add that there's really nothing to forgive him for. Thank you for this, Caitlin. Bringing this story to the greater public was well worth your time, and ours.

[@AD-hq2uz]

There is nothing to forgive him for the city is at fault.

[@micheletravis9057]

@@AD-hq2uz Completely agree, the state city and the state should be funding him. Cremation costs less. The state can afford that.

[@xCindyLouWhox]

“Money’s only good for what good it’ll do.” That really stuck with me.

[@frankkiejo5560]

Me too. ❤️

[@patriciahenderson2096]

Agreed

[@Sirona279]

Words to live by.

[@Ojos_Del_Sol]

so true

[@timothyshook3760]

I skipped back 4 times to listen to it again. Very profound

[@elliume]

He is an absolute angel, I have an inmesurable amount of respect and appreciation for this man. He is one of the few people I've seen that lives to genuinely do good from the bottom of his heart.

[@Convalla]

watching this in June of 2021 makes you get even a new layer of how horrible things are in covid times. I imagine all those who lost loved ones to covid who can't get their relatives taken care of.

[@millennialstray4215]

Wow. Had I seen a headline “funeral director has 9 bodies rotting in his basement” I would’ve thought .. what a monster! Thank you for shedding light on this obviously .. old school, yet so caring man. It’s insane his reasoning (that the state would not sign to agree to let him cremate the bodies, which would have been something he could easily do to “get rid” of the bodies)

[@jerricho11]

I know, our media no longer cares about the truth. They just want the clickbait. Sad.

[@aguy2162]

He should've never taken them. He talks like he is justifying a hoarding addiction. Its gross and incompetent

[@eloise5129]

@@aguy2162 whos gonna take em then, you?

[@esmeraldaparker2137]

@@aguy2162 if he wouldnt take them, then who will? That's the thing.

[@dsandoval9396]

I learned a long time ago that you can never count on the media to give you the truth, hell, you can barely count on them to give you the half truth! However I admit that I'd have to agree with you, had I heard this on the media I probably wouldn't have thought there was this much more than what they were reporting on in this particular instance, superficially it sounds pretty open and shut, it's apparent now that's not the case.

[@harpercurry9280]

I wholeheartedly see him as a modern day saint. He is doing everything in his power to respect people when they are at their most vulnerable - dead and alone. I'm not very religious but I bless this man

[@ladymopar2024]

I think he has all those Souls down there and they're looking out for him because they've got a place.

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

Agreed.

[@brucefritzges8759]

When I was a kid, the "Church" used to have unhallowed ground set aside for suicides and unbaptized babies. So being religious is not synonymous with be compassionate.

[@jessm9233]

Thank you for being so fair about Mr. Stefan. He is a good man, no doubt, and it is just so sad that the state basically throws the responsibility of handling the poor deceased upon him (or upon any private funeral home for that matter). I can only imagine what he endured during this pandemic. I'm sure there were countless victims of COVID that were left unclaimed.

[@crusmonster1397]

I started (re)watching this video & learned that he passed away a little over a year ago. I hope his funeral home continues to do what he did in life 🤍 May he Rest In Peace.

[@stevejarrettnc]

I teared up over his love of the unclaimed bodies. We need more people like him in this world. KEEP FIGHTING, Peter.

[@noizeemama3697]

Same here.

[@TheWickedlu]

Me too. He cares about people. And he's right...where would the bodies...your loved ones...go if he didn't take them in if no one else would? He shows true kindness.

[@casey-capri2914]

This guy got himself in trouble for taking on a burden that no one else was willing to take on. The state should be paying for that larger freezer and giving this guy some kind of award for doing what he does.

[@karentucker2161]

Exactly

[@yudithdm9302]

Yes

[@jzthompson9598]

There's a go-fund-me for him. See top of the page, in the description.

[@toddcampo6002]

In my eyes, Stefan is a hero. We need more people like him ... compassionate, caring and fighting for what's right. Sorry to see that he has passed away. He was a good human.

[@mattpipes5106]

What an incredible man… I’m sure that Covid has made the problem of unclaimed bodies much worse, thank you for shining a light on this

[@geraldwalker7609]

He needs no forgiveness; he needs to be thanked.

[@johncollins7423]

Well said, sir. I agree 100%

[@asiarussell861]

I agree!!

[@j.whiteoak6408]

@@johncollins7423 Me too!

[@justjenn1345]

The old saying”no good deed goes unpunished” comes to mind. So sad. This man is trying to help and he’s doing what no one else will do and his state let him down. That’s sad. I truly hope he is doing ok.

[@frankiejean8509]

I appreciate you going out of your way to set this story straight. What a magnificent soul this man has. Thanking you both x

[@arcticfoxart7306]

He seems like such a sweet old man who really cares about his job. Kind of sounds like the city failed him.

[@Amanda-James]

“A soldier in the war against the poor.” He is a lovely man who cares so much about his community.

[@neuralmute]

Absolutely. I worry about what's going to become of people like this in the coming months...

[@lynceiV2]

He is so sweet person

[@kirstenstern6402]

I recently retired as a policeman in Massachusetts. Whenever I was sent out on a DOS call, (“dead on scene”) I would first confirm that yes, there was a deceased person on scene. I would then notify our detective bureau and a street supervisor. The state’s medical examiner would also be notified. If all things point to a simple passing away of a person, and not as a result of crime, the next of kin would be asked to choose a funeral home to call to come and retrieve the body. In the case of an indigent person where no family could be found, a frenzy of phone calls must be made to every funeral home in the city. This happened on my Christmas 2019 tour of duty. My partner and I waited seven hours for a funeral director to come for our body. The dead woman, a former heavy drinker, and chronically homeless, had been estranged from her family for years. She was welcomed into a home in what could be described as a poorer neighborhood, to live in a room in an elderly man’s home. The undertaker that finally arrived explained the problem: the commonwealth of Massachusetts pays $1100 per indigent body collected. The fee was set in the 1980’s. The cheapest cremation service however, costs about $2800. Simple math tells you that the funeral director takes it on the chin to the tune of $1700. It begs the question why hasn’t this fee been increased to mirror the cost of living-or in this case-dying?

[@kitsumekat]

They're cheap.

[@odessawild7798]

It's the same reason we don't have higher minimum wage, or decent healthcare; lobbying.

[@christiebreeechelon]

Why don't cities have government run mortuary/crematoriums for events like this? It is crazy that privately owned businesses are expected to take that hit. When there are hungry people the government doesn't demand restaurants to hand out free meals.

[@beastshawnee4987]

It is about capitalism. It doesn’t cost an actual $2800 to cremate a person. But that includes a profit, (which everyone deserves to receive in their private business ). So the $1100 probably does cover all the costs but no one wants to work for NO profit at all. The fee needs to go up if they want private businesses to take this on-Or else the state can do it themselves. The funeral lobbyists used to be the first and most powerful lobbyists for a long time...sounds like they need some new legislature passed!

[@atom_gray]

it's painfully simple. they do not care. what the state wants becomes policy. what does not concern them is pushed aside. often onto the shoulders of the outcast.

[@GenXfrom75]

All I can think of are those with no one to claim their bodies in death... and tears flow down my cheeks... I just can't imagine that. And it's heartbreaking. I don't care who you are or how you die, everyone deserves to be claimed, to be buried, to be respected...

[@CGZ26]

This just makes me wonder how the city where I live handles this things, there are a lot of homeless people with and without family. R.I.P. Mr. Stefan, you deserve a big piece of heaven.