BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local funeral home says they will not continue to work with the Whatcom County Medical Examiner following reports of improperly stored remains at their facility.

The Medical Examiners Office contracted with Moles Farewell Tributes and Crematory Center in 2023 to store bodies and conduct autopsies at their Bellingham location while county facilities were renovated.

Other funeral homes reported finding unrefrigerated remains on Moles property in May, prompting investigations by the county and state regulators.

Moles president, John Moles, said his company had made arrangements with the county to pick up the decedents that were found but the county failed to follow through.

Last week, Moles asked the county to remove all staff and equipment from their facility.

A spokesperson for the county executive’s office says they have done that and also contracted with another company and acquired a refrigerated truck for body storage.

Autopsies are being performed at the new facility and at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.

The spokesperson says they are in the process of hiring an investigator and will not comment now on the situation involving Moles.