Funeral Home Under Investigation for Identity Theft and Previous Violations

Identity Theft Investigation

• 🔍 Houston police are investigating A Community Funeral Home for allegations of identity theft involving deceased individuals.
• 💔 Several families reported that their deceased loved ones' identities were stolen, including for credit cards and financial accounts.
• 🚨 Investigators believe someone at the funeral home is involved and executed a search warrant to collect financial records and computers.

Previous Violations and Fines

• ⚠️ The funeral home, located on Wheeler Avenue, had previously been ordered to pay a $500 administrative penalty in March 2019 for rule violations.
• 📄 A purchase agreement in October 2017 was not signed by the funeral home director as required.

Forgery Charges Against Owner

• ⚖️ Court documents reveal the funeral home owner was charged with forging a fraudulent lien agreement in August of the current year.
• 🏠 The alleged forgery was to facilitate construction on the property and avoid eviction.
• 📅 The owner was arrested in early November, with a court date for the misdemeanor forgery charge set for January.

Unlicensed Operation and Cremated Remains

• 🚫 Texas Funeral Service Commission records show the funeral home's license was revoked.
• 📦 During the search warrant execution, investigators discovered approximately 12 boxes of cremated remains.
• ✅ Efforts are underway to return these remains to the appropriate loved ones.

Ongoing Investigation and Owner's Response

• ⏳ HPD states that the owner was briefly detained and released pending further investigation, with no charges filed yet.
• 🗣️ Attempts to get a response from the funeral homeowner and their attorney have been unsuccessful.
• 🤝 Houston police are collaborating with the Texas Funeral Service Commission on their current investigation.