The board has not revealed the circumstances behind that consumer’s complaint.
On Tuesday, the seven-member board decided to suspend the funeral home’s license, ordering the business to stop operations immediately. The order came in the summary suspension that was mailed to longtime funeral director Scherrie McLin on Tuesday. McLin was also ordered to stop funeral directing.
The suspension came after the board determined that the funeral home had violated nine state laws and administrative codes. Some violations included:
• Failure to pick up a body from the coroner’s office for a period between two to four weeks on two occasions.
• Failure to coordinate and conduct funeral services and arrangements in a proper manner, in at least one instance contributing to the deceased being buried in the wrong grave.
• Permitting an unlicensed employee to advertise and promote himself in the community and online as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.
• Failure to provide documents and/or files to the inspector as part of investigations
• Not permitting the inspector entrance to the funeral home for annual inspection, including not keeping scheduled appointments.
The board’s suspension order said, “pursuant to their further determination that McLin Funeral Home and Scherrie McLin’s continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public...”
If necessary, the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office would have to file any formal charges against McLin, according to Lisa Peterson Hackley, the state Attorney General’s communications director. The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office has not been contacted by the attorney general’s office regarding the funeral home, according to Greg Flannagan, prosector’s office spokesman.
“The board has issued a summary suspension about four times in the last five or six years,” Hubbard said.
McLin can request a hearing before the board within 30 days of March 22.
On Thursday, the Dayton Daily News received numerous phone calls and e-mails from consumers concerned about issues regarding prearrangement contracts with the funeral home.
McLin has been ordered to direct any consumers to other funeral services facilities, Hubbard said. The board also has the authority to request from the local court system to appoint a receiver. It was not immediately known if the board has put in the request.
For more information about the state Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors call (614) 466-4252 or visit www.funeral.ohio.gov.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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