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Lynwood Mortuary Is Closed Following Court's Rejection of Stay

SACRAMENTO — A Southern California mortuary — already on probation for violating state regulations — closed after the State Court of Appeals declined to extend a stay on a disciplinary action by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).

The Simpson & McGee Mortuary shut its doors at midnight on March 22.

DCA had revoked the license of mortuary owner Jessie Lee McGee in September 2005, but appeals by the mortuary had kept it open until last week. The action taken also revoked the embalmer license for Sandra Joella King. Ms. King did not appeal the revocation.

"I'm pleased that the Bureau finally prevailed in this case," said Charlene Zettel, Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The violations that led to this latest action, which dealt mainly with unsanitary conditions at the funeral home, were uncovered in the field as the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau was delivering a letter informing the mortuary owner that he was in violation of a May 2003 settlement with the Bureau. The settlement arose from several violations uncovered during an August 2001 inspection.

Simpson & McGee Mortuary and Ms. King have also been ordered to reimburse the Bureau for the cost of the $11,576 investigation. An employee who was put on probation in the case was ordered to pay $1,500 of that cost.

DCA's Cemetery and Funeral Bureau licenses and regulates the California funeral and cemetery industries. It also investigates complaints against funeral homes, crematories, state-licensed cemeteries and individual licensees. For more information, visit www.cfb.ca.gov

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