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My only experience with being in charge of a death at home was the case of my late mother-in-law. She died in our home—silently, during the night, I might add. She had terminal cancer and wanted it that way.

The funeral home sent a hearse by, and they took her body to the ER for the certification of death.

This was in Illinois 20 years ago. I don't know what the specific laws or practices are here and now.

My only point was that if someone dies at home in 2012 you can't just dig a hole and throw in the body like it was a dead animal. A death certificate is required even for anticipated natural deaths.

It's also not such a great idea to continue collecting Social Security, forge checks, drain the assets of the estate, or lie about the whereabouts of the deceased.

- Jim

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. The cause or time of death have not been specified. No further charges have been brought as of yesterday.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/325902" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

Updated story: http://galvestondailynews.com/story/325042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Reportedly the bank called the police because the deceased woman's account was overdrawn and had an unusual pattern of withdrawals.

Here's a bit of free advice: If the cops are knocking on your door, dress the way you want to look in your mug shot before opening it.

Of course you can refuse to open the door, but they will be back soon with a warrant.

- Jim

apostate wrote:Here's one option If you qualify. http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene_burial.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's good for veterans. Not too many women in their 70s are veterans. I guess there might be a few. I don't know the technicalities back then.

- Jim

Oldgringo wrote:I duuno'. The undertakers' lobby is pretty strong. Funerals, grave sites and cremations are obscenely expensive.

I agree that the funeral business is generally a scam.

If you plan ahead, you can have economical final rites that are decorous and respect the feelings of the living. It's like a lot of things in life that require a little planning.

I can't believe I'm having this conversation.

- Jim

C-dub wrote:Is this the guy that even dressed up like his deceased mother to go in the bank to cash at least one of the checks?

No. That guy went to the slammer about two months ago.

If you look at the photo on the Daily News website (which was not there this morning) he couldn't impersonate anyone's mother.

I should know better than to read comments on websites. They are often posted by sociopaths who appear to have nothing better to do. I almost can't believe that someone thinks it's OK for a man to throw his mother's corpse in a hole without notifying anyone (aside from Social Security), without a funeral or a clergyman. I treated my last pet that died better than that.

- Jim

tacticool wrote:Is it illegal to have a family cemetery on property that's been in the family 100 years?

Probably a century-old family cemetery would be grandfathered.

No human development in League City is 100 years old. That subdivision probably was built in the 1960s or 70s.

When a person dies, the death has to be certified by some kind of medical personnel. If a person dies at home, a funeral director takes the body by the ER to get a death certificate.

Also there are regulations about the depth of graves and probably coffins or other structures to prevent the grave being dug up by animals or flooding out. Someone can't just dig a hole and throw his mother's body in it—aside from it being a moral outrage.

Many people are arrested just to get them into custody and in the justice system. About half of state charges are dropped or dismissed for lack of evidence.

I would guess the abuse of a corpse charge will be dropped when the federal violations kick in. Most DAs would rather dump a case on the feds than prosecute it in state court.

- Jim

A League City man was charged Thursday with burying his deceased mother in the back yard.

Police received a request for a welfare check from the woman's bank. The woman's 54-year-old son was at the home in the 3100 block of Sand Reef. Police originally arrested him for forgery. They search the house and grounds and found the woman's body buried under freshly turned dirt.

The suspect was also charged with abuse of a corpse.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/324942" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim