Funeral home in Philadelphia faced with lawsuit, accused of mistakenly handing over an unlabeled container holding a deceased son's brain.
Family Files Lawsuit Against Funeral Homes Over Mishandling of Son's Remains
The family of Timothy Garlington, who passed away in 2023, has filed a lawsuit against Philadelphia-based Nix and Nix Funeral Homes and Georgia-based Southern Cremations and Funerals. The lawsuit alleges gross negligence by both funeral homes in mishandling Tim Garlington's remains, causing the family severe emotional distress.
According to the lawsuit, after Garlington’s death, his body was transported from Southern Cremations & Funerals in Georgia to Nix and Nix in Philadelphia. During a visit to Nix and Nix to view their son and collect his belongings, the parents were given a box that was undisclosed and unlisted in the inventory of their son's possessions. This box contained their son's brain or brain matter, which the parents only discovered after noticing a strong smell emanating from the box while it was left in their car.
The lawsuit alleges that the box was delivered to them without proper labeling or explanation, and they were unaware of its contents until the smell revealed the horrifying truth. The family hopes the lawsuit will help prevent similar incidents from happening to other families.
Investigations into the incident have been carried out. A representative of Nix and Nix Funeral Homes stated that the issue had been thoroughly investigated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors. However, the board's website does not show any disciplinary action against Nix and Nix. Southern Cremations & Funerals has not responded publicly to requests for comment, and the reasons why the brain was removed or why the box was handed to the family remain unclear.
As of the latest information, no apology from either funeral home has been mentioned in the available search results. The family is pursuing legal action seeking accountability for the mishandling and emotional harm caused.
This case highlights serious concerns about professional funeral home practices and how remains are handled and communicated to families. The family's attorney stated that both funeral homes have yet to issue an apology, and the lawsuit is being filed in Pennsylvania.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Case involves | Family of Timothy Garlington vs. Nix and Nix Funeral Homes (PA) and Southern Cremations (GA) | | Incident | Parents received a box containing their deceased son's brain, which was not disclosed or listed | | Allegations | Gross negligence and mishandling of remains, intentional infliction of emotional distress | | Investigation status | Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors investigated Nix and Nix with no public discipline | | Apology status | No publicly reported apology from either funeral home | | Legal actions | Lawsuit filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court as of July 2025 |
Sources: [1] ABC News, "Family Files Lawsuit Against Funeral Homes Over Mishandling of Son's Remains", July 2025. [2] Philadelphia Inquirer, "Nix and Nix Cleared of Wrongdoing in Remains Mishandling Case", July 2025. [3] CNN, "Family's Lawsuit Against Funeral Homes Over Mishandling of Son's Remains", July 2025.
- The law is being utilized as a means for the Garlington family to seek accountability and prevent similar incidents of mishandling remains in the field of general-news.
- The lawsuit against Nix and Nix Funeral Homes and Southern Cremations and Funerals, based on the charge of gross negligence, highlights the significance of mental-health care in such cases involving intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- The incident has sparked general-news discussions about the need for improved professional practices in the handling of remains within the realm of science and health-and-wellness.
- As the investigation into the matter continues to unfold, crime-and-justice perspectives may be raised, questioning the ethical responsibilities of funeral homes in law and their accountability towards the families they serve.
