An incredible story appeared in CNN this past week that is amazing, incomprehensible and painful regardless of outcome. There is no doubt that the family of James Hines – deceased – is experiencing pain. There is no doubt that the cloud of suspicion hanging over Cave Funeral Services located in Allendale, South Carolina is the kind of publicity that is never good. And, there is no doubt that reports like this continue to raise concerns on the part of the public and 
move the population toward cremation – a rising trend.
At question in this story – did the funeral home sever the legs of 6-foot, 5-inch James Hines in order to make him fit in the casket?
The CNN report states the following:
A former Cave Funeral Services employee has alleged since James Hines’ death from skin cancer in 2004 that Hines was too tall for his coffin and that the funeral home took extreme measures to make him fit, Allendale County Coroner Hayzen Black told CNN.
Officials exhumed Hines’ body Tuesday, Black said, and a fair amount of “undesirable evidence” was found, although he could not comment further.
The coroner’s office handed the case over to law enforcement officials for a criminal investigation, he said.
Obviously, based on the public report, there was some belief that such an action on the part of the funeral service provider was possible for the exhumation to take place as part of an investigation. While all parties are considered innocent until proven guilty, the comment about “undesirable evidence” is troubling in that it would lead one to believe that perhaps the allegation was not made by a disgruntled employee. Regardless of outcome, the question that has been raised creates quite the opposite of what funeral service professionals desire for remaining families – namely closure.
Ruth Hines, widow of the dead man, told WJBF that the allegations and exhumation of Hines’ body are difficult for her.
“I’m just going through quite a bit,” she said. “It’s like starting all over again, and it’s left me with hurt and numbness.”
“According to the measurements on the casket, and the funeral director, we asked him, ‘Was this suitable for his length?’ and he said, ‘Yes that will be perfect,’” Ruth Hines said.
In a report by Fraendy Clervaud of station WJBF-TV the following was stated:
I talked with the funeral director, Wednesday afternoon.
Charlie G., owner, Cave Funeral Services: “The records will speak for itself.”
Further NBC – Augusta reported on March 31, 2009 -
As the top came off and the body was examined, the coroners and investigators determined something wasn’t right, but they wouldn’t confirm what.
“SLED and the [South Carolina Department of] Licensing investigating has found some causes for further investigation,” said Allendale County Coroner Hayzen Black.
If county officials determine Caves broke the law with its handling of James Hines’s body, the business could be shut down by the end of the week.
Caves Funeral Services has been accused of unlawful practices in the past.
What next? Well after the examination by law enforcement officials the body was wrapped and re-buried it in a new casket.
Realizing the State of South Carolina is conservative in their view and application of funeral rules and law, it is clear that if inappropriate activity has taken place, the funeral service provider will be dealt with swiftly. More to come and as always –
According to a UK report:
But Ann Hines was more forthcoming. She said investigators told her that her husband’s legs had been cut off between ankle and calf and his feet placed inside the casket. “It’s just like pulling the scab off an old sore. It was kind of like smoothing things out. But now it’s like its starting all over again,” she said.
Under South Carolina law, destroying or desecrating human remains is punishable by between one and 10 years imprisonment. A man who identified himself as the owner of Cave Funeral Home, responsible for the funeral, declined to comment, according to the Associated Press.
“You hear old wives’ tales about this around the turn of the century, but no, this was a shock to me,” said Doggett Whitaker, a past president of the National Funeral Directors Association.
Funeral directors sometimes pull up the knees or shift the padding in the coffin to make sure the body fits. But the best solution is usually a longer casket, Whitaker said, adding: “Just being upfront and honest with the family is the best path to take.”
He said bodies are usually measured and families told where a corpse’s head will rest in the casket. Longer caskets are routinely manufactured, though they cost more than standard ones.
YOUR COMMENTS WELCOME!
Funeral News is a free service that reports on funeral, cemetery, cremation and other death care related issues. If you feel you have a news story that would be of interest, contact us at funeralnewsnow@gmail.com. We are always interested in your comments.
Our service is made possible by our sponsors which include American Funeral Financial – the funeral funding experts. Feel free to visit our sponsors for more information and if you’d like to become a sponsor send us an e-mail we’d be happy to talk with you.
[...] a story reported earlier (here), the family of James Hines felt that there was something wrong with the service and burial of [...]