AC Funeral Parlor`s Woes Grow

Three more families came forward Thursday to file complaints against a funeral home from which five decomposing bodies had been removed, authorities said.

Nine complaints have now been filed by families who pre-paid for funerals at Jewell Funeral Home but could not get their money back when they asked to have it transferred to another funeral home or refunded, according to George Kelder, assistant executive director of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

The funeral home, which is run by Dorothy Jewell, was closed down and the state suspended Jewell's mortuary license in connection with an unrelated investigation. That same day, police detectives investigating a complaint went to the funeral home and found five decomposing bodies, which were removed by the Medical Examiner. It wasn't clear how long the bodies had been there.

Investigators have identified four of the five decomposing bodies found inside the Jewell Funeral Home. Police are withholding the names of the deceased, but their families have already been notified.

Authorities are investigating whether the funeral home was paid to bury or cremate the remains, but failed to do so.

In that previous case, Jewell is accused of misappropriating funds customers paid her to prearrange their own services. She was fined $40,000.

The current investigation continues, but police said they do not believe there are any more bodies. Cadaver dogs were used to search the property for more remains.

"We wanted to make sure and to alleviate any concerns that there were body parts or chemicals there. The conclusion was negative," said Sgt. Michael Tullio of the Atlantic City Police.

In the meantime, relatives of the deceased have to once again make arrangements to have their loved ones buried.

"She was commingling pre-need funds in with the funeral home's general operating account, which is probhibited under state law," said Genene Morris, a spokeswoman for the state Board of Mortuary Science.

No charges have been filed with regard to the bodies, which were identified Thursday, police Sgt. Michael Tullio said.

Jewell, 70, has been a licensed funeral home manager since 1954 but had no prior record of work-related disciplinary action, Morris said. She declined interview requests.

"The neglect reported in this case is beyond contempt," said Brian McNamara, president of the 1,000-member association. "Funeral directors view their work with families as sacred, and the disposition of remains as a sacred process, to be treated with respect and dignity."

Desecration of a corpse -- or improper disposal of it -- is a misdemeanor under New Jersey law, although a bill awaiting Gov. James E. McGreevey's signature would make it a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $15,000 in fines.

Tullio said police would give details about the funeral home investigation on Friday.

"At present, I am coordinating information about the case, which involves the participating of numerous local investigative agencies," he said.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Copyright 2002 by NBC 10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.