BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local funeral home has been exonerated from accusations of mishandling bodies.
The Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board has closed their investigation into Moles Farewell Tributes and Crematory Center.
It follows the reports of mishandled bodies at their facility by Medical Examiner (ME) staff earlier this year.
The Washington Department of Licensing Digital Communications Manager Christine Anthony says that the funeral home was not at fault as the remains were in the care of the ME.
Anthony adds that the Board does not have jurisdiction over the Medical Examiner.
“We’re grateful that the Funeral and Cemetery Board agreed with our position that the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office was responsible for the two decedents,” Moles Farewell Tributes President John Moles said in a statement.
A previous investigation by a law firm for Whatcom County also found it was the fault of the ME and their office.
The county recently hired a new ME named Dr. Aldo Fusaro following their investigation.
The previous Medical Examiner was using the Moles facility to store bodies and do autopsies while the county’s building was under renovations.
Moles broke their contract with the ME shortly after the news of the improperly stored bodies came to light.
