Cremains found in fmr. funeral office

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - State investigators have found boxes of cremated human remains at the office of an Indianapolis funeral director who lost his license in October of 2008.

Marvin Boatright's license was permanently revoked, after state regulators said he was continuing to work as a funeral director despite a suspended license.

Since his revocation, Boatright was locked out of his office in March when he couldn't pay the rent. He claims the building's owner didn't contact him to remove his office files or belongings.

Friday, the building's owner allowed investigators with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to take records from Boatright's business including pre-planning contracts for funeral services Boatright arranged while he still had his license. Records investigators say he failed to produce earlier.

While there, investigators discovered more than 30 boxes of cremated human remains, apparently unclaimed by families. The remains were taken to another funeral home for storage and identification.

Boatright came to WISH-TV briefly Wednesday. He wouldn't speak on camera, but said he is appealing his revocation and hopes to be a licensed funeral director again someday.

"I've buried multitudes of families who did not have all the means necessary, I've given financial breaks. I've done anything that a servant of the town can do. And so I'm asking that my livelihood not be taken away," said Boatright.

For now, his business card lists him as a funeral consultant working out of a temporary chapel, his church. He assists other funeral directors, but can't make arrangements, and can't embalm bodies, even though his e-mail address contains the word mortician.

Funeral experts I-Team 8 talked with for this story said it's not unusual for funeral homes to store cremated remains that are unclaimed by family members.

I-Team has been following this story since last fall.