Funeral home admits to producing wrong body before cremation
NEW YORK -- State officials in New York are investigating after a Bronx funeral home produced the wrong body for an 81-year-old woman's viewing and subsequent cremation.
The New York Times reports that funeral regulators will review what happened before Val-Jean McDonald's services at McCall's Bronxwood Funeral Home.
McDonald's family noticed something was off with her appearance during her open-casket viewing in December but rationalized the difference because she had succumbed to a long bout with cancer.
The family says it wasn't until the funeral home came clean that their fears were validated and one of her sons claimed her remains.
The owner of the funeral home declined to comment on this case but said they've had a stellar record over 50 years in business.