Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors revokes licenses and imposes maximum penalties to Janet M. Dailey and Powell Mortuary Services

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors revoked the funeral director and funeral supervisor licenses of Janet M. Dailey, as well as the establishment license of Powell Mortuary Services, which Dailey owned and operated in the city of Philadelphia.  In addition, the Board imposed the maximum civil penalty of $180,000 for Dailey and $120,000 for the funeral home for multiple violations of the Funeral Director Law.

Dailey, who also faces criminal charges, and Powell Mortuary Services failed to properly store remains of three deceased individuals, permitted the remains to deteriorate, failed to promptly dispose of the remains, and treated the deceased in a disrespectful and undignified manner.  Furthermore, Powell Mortuary Services violated the Funeral Director Law by practicing on a lapsed license for more than three years and practiced at a location other than the one for which the Board had issued its license. The Board also found Dailey guilty of failing to maintain required records with respect to the funeral services. 

On August 25, 2015, three decomposing bodies were found by neighbors in a garage on the 2600 block of Hagert Street, around the corner from Powell Mortuary Services located at 2432 N. 27th St. in Philadelphia.        

"Dailey and Powell Mortuary Services failed to fulfill one of the most fundamental responsibilities that a licensee has, to treat the deceased with dignity and respect," the Board noted in the final adjudication.

"The Department of State, through the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, is committed to protecting the health and safety of the public from unethical practitioners," said Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés.

The Bureau's 29 boards and commissions license and oversee nearly 1 million active professionals and businesses, including a range of occupations in health and business fields.

A comprehensive list of sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is available online.

The Bureau also maintains a searchable database which allows the public to check the license status of all the professionals and establishments it licenses.

Anyone who suspects unlicensed activity by an individual or facility, or who has been a victim of unethical treatment, can file a complaint either online or through the Bureau's hotline at
1-800-822-2113.

MEDIA CONTACT: Adriana Arvizo, (717) 772-2146

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us