Marietta funeral home punished for mishandling bodies

A well-known Marietta funeral home has been sanctioned by a state administrative judge for mishandling two bodies.

Judge Kristin L. Miller recently placed Hanley-Shelton Funeral Home on probation for three years and levied a $1,000 fine.

Owner Henry Shelton was also placed on probation for three years, had his license suspended for 30 days and fined $1,000. Assistant manager Edwin Shelton’s funeral license was suspended for a week. He also faces three years of probation.

The Sheltons, according to a case brought by the state’s Board of Funeral Services, kept the embalmed body of Reuben Hyatt un-refrigerated for more than five months before releasing it for burial in July 2008.

Henry Lee Jackson died in February 2008. He was embalmed and readied for an Alabama burial although his wife had signed a contract with another funeral home.

Both cases revolved around payment disputes between family members and Hanley-Shelton.

The Sheltons wouldn’t comment.

“I greatly disagree with this ruling,” attorney Roy Barnes said Thursday. “Henry Shelton has been a long and distinguished member of this community. He’s never had a disciplinary action.”

Barnes said he’ll contest the ruling.