A southwest Houston mortuary where family members were shocked last week to see the bodies of their loved ones in substandard conditions has been ordered to close.
State inspectors from the Texas Funeral Service Commission sent investigators to Richardson Mortuary, near Almeda at Fuqua, where they found conditions that they say don't meet standard building, health, and safety codes.
The commission sent a letter to the company asking that it "cease and desist" operations immediately upon receipt on Apri 14th, accusing the firm of "unprofessional and deceptive conduct," as determined by the investigators.
The saga began when loved ones arrived at the mortuary last week only to find more than half a dozen bodies lying on tables and outside coffins in one area of the business, with no air conditioning.
One customer said she opened a coffin and found the body of her mother inside it in poor condition, causing emotional distress.
Some of those at the mortuary, including those who called police and called news media, said the conditions were deplorable.
The operators of the company said the owner had been able to devote time to the business because he's been recovering from surgery, and air conditioning was not working and the bodies were in disarray because the mortuary was being remodeled.
One man who posted video of the substandard conditions said his actions outraged one of the mortuary's employees, who then stabbed the visitor.
Houston police were called by at least one customer, and when they arrived officers reported at least 10 bodies lying on the floor of the facility.
The bodies in the building were eventually moved to the Fort Bend Funeral Home, where the owners are said to be helping the families through this distress.
More details soon.