A former funeral home operator in the United States, Kari Hallford, has been sentenced to an 18-year prison term for presenting families of the deceased with counterfeit ashes instead of actual remains. This news was reported on March 16th by the NBC News television channel.
At her funeral home, Hallford also offered cremation services, and frequently substituted the remains of the deceased with urns containing dry concrete handed over to grieving families. Since 2021, she and her former spouse had concealed approximately 200 decomposing bodies right within the funeral home premises.
“She (Hallford – REN TV note) misappropriated over $130,000 intended for funeral services,” the report stated.
The woman claimed she had encouraged her husband to acquire an incinerator but hesitated to press the issue. Hallford also described herself as a “frightened and desperate mother” who was manipulated to keep the business afloat.
The woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion, and the embezzlement of nearly $900,000. She had acquired this money through loans designated as pandemic relief for small businesses but squandered the entire amount on purchasing designer goods and for personal expenses.
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