Latest news with #HeavenBoundCremationServices
Washington Post
16-03-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Crematory horrors spur Maryland lawmakers to push for reform
Following the discovery of mishandled remains and decomposing bodies at a Maryland crematory in January, state lawmakers are proposing stiffer penalties and heavier oversight for the death industry. Del. Harry Bhandari (D-Baltimore County), who presented H.B. 1555 to the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Thursday night, said he began drafting the bill in February after lawmakers first heard about families whose loved ones were sent to Heaven Bound Cremation Services in White Plains, Maryland. Horrifying conditions that led the state to shutter the crematory left those families reeling and questioning how their loved ones' bodies had been handled and whether they received the right ashes.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Maryland crematory suspended after bodies found piling up, decomposing, state board says
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. () — Maryland state officials suspended a crematory from operating in Charles County after inspectors found the facility was allowing bodies to accumulate and leaving dried blood on the floors for years, among a slew of other violations. The Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors ordered Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams, who own and operate Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC in White Plains, to immediately surrender their crematory permit on Jan. 17. During an inspection of the facility on Jan. 10, investigators found that the cremation chamber itself was not operational and that bodies were 'accumulating rather than being cremated in a timely manner,' as described in the board's Order for Summary Suspension. Deputies find body while serving eviction notice in Prince George's County According to the summary suspension obtained by DC News Now, the facility was so overwhelmed by bodies that the door to one of the refrigeration units was blocked by boxes containing remains. Unsanitary conditions persisted throughout the facility, including dried blood and other fluids on the floors and fluids leaking into boxes containing bodies. The board said bodies were stacked on top of one another, stored in ripped body bags with parts exposed and left in unsealed cardboard boxes left ajar. At least 18 bodies were stored above the proper temperature and inspectors said they found three 'visibly decomposing bodies.' It was later determined that one of the decomposing bodies had been in the facility since an inspection that happened in March last year. The inspection in January was the latest in years' worth of disciplinary history against Heaven Bound Cremation Services. Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams had both been on probation due to prior improper storage of human remains. In December 2017, just a year after first being issued a crematory permit, the board began investigating Heaven Bound Cremation Services after receiving a report about improper storage. Rosa Williams admitted then that the cremains were 'not properly disposed of,' according to the board's Order for Summary Suspension. At an evidentiary hearing in March 2019, she admitted that she had not yet disposed of those cremains. Virginia, Maryland leaders speak out after Trump issues pause on federal grants, loans The board ruled that she violated several statutory and regulatory provisions by 'comingling cremains, disposing of cremated remains in a receptacle with bio-hazard waste, otherwise improperly storing cremated remains, and failing to send cremated remains to the agent of the decedent.' For this violation, Rosa Williams was fined and her crematory operator registration was placed on probation for a year, with conditions that she complete an ethics course and practice under a board-approved mentor. When she did not comply with these requirements by Jan. 21, 2021, the board placed her registration on probation for a minimum of two years with conditions that she submit to random unannounced inspections and complete ethics courses. A Board Investigator inspected Heaven Bound Cremation Services on March 21, 2024, and found bodies in cardboard boxes, remains stored in adequate temperatures, ripped body bags with limbs hanging out and more. A follow-up inspection on April 22, 2024, revealed a 'strong odor of decomposing remains' and 'flies coming out of boxes containing human bodies,' as stated in the board's Order for Summary Suspension. Man arrested after police find drugs in vehicle during traffic stop in Anne Arundel Following the 2024 inspections, both Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams entered into Pre-Charge Consent Orders with the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors. Rosa Williams's crematory operation registration was suspended for 10 days and she was placed on probation and handed a $2,000 fine. Brandon Williams's creator operation registration was placed on probation for two years, with conditions that he complete recertification through a nationally recognized organization, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine. After the January 2025 findings, the board suspended Heaven Bound Cremation Services's crematory permit entirely. The facility was also ordered to surrender its permit to a representative of the board. Heaven Bound Cremation Services has 30 days after the Jan. 17 order to request a hearing before the board, which will issue a decision on whether to lift or continue the suspension. In a statement sent to DC News Now, Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote, Firstly, these allegations are despicable, and those responsible need to be held accountable. I know the board is independent, but they have failed these families and I share in their outrage, and I stand with them in demanding justice. There is an active investigation into this matter, and these families deserve better.' DC News Now reached out to Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC and the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors for statements. There was no response as of the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
