The Savory and Sons Funeral Home in Kansas City, Missouri, has been shut down following serious complaints regarding its services and operations. The closure, which comes after a hearing lasting more than three and a half hours, was prompted by the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoking the funeral home’s establishment license due to multiple violations.
This decision follows significant media attention and an influx of complaints from grieving families—around 30 complaints were received after KMBC 9 initially reported on the troubling conditions at the funeral home in April. One of the customers, Cherie Kidd, shared her distressing experience of discovering her niece’s body visible through a glass door within the facility nearly a month after her death. Her family had contracted Savory and Sons for funeral services, including cremation, but felt those services were inadequately carried out.
The board found owner Frank Savory’s testimony during the hearing to be not credible, resulting in the decision to shut down the business. Evidence was presented indicating that Savory, who is not a licensed funeral director, had been improperly managing public interactions and contract negotiations, which further led to multiple mishaps, including delayed death certificates for grieving families.
Shawn Pearson, another customer, reported that his mother’s funeral was mishandled, and he has yet to receive her death certificate necessary for legal actions he needs to pursue. The gravity of these issues has prompted the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section to investigate the funeral home, adding pressure on Frank Savory to be held accountable for his actions.
While the closure of Savory and Sons is a relief for many affected families, there are ongoing calls for further accountability and potential criminal charges against Savory. As the community seeks justice and closure, families are encouraged to reach out to appropriate authorities regarding unresolved matters or to obtain information concerning death certificates.
The situation underscores a vital need for regulatory oversight in the funeral industry to protect families during their most vulnerable moments. The hope is that these developments lead to improved standards and practices in funeral services across the region.