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Funeral home whistleblower fired

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Richard Renner

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The Washington Post reports today that Service Corporation International (SCI), operator of the National Funeral Home, fired whistleblower Robert Ranghelli last week.  After an April 5 Washington Post story detailed improper storage of corpses destined for Arlington National Cemetery, Ranghelli came forward to corroborate what he felt were disgraceful conditions at the home.

SCI immediately put Ranghelli on administrative leave.  Rangelli cooperated with SCI's internal investigation, sitting for five hours during two days of interviews. He corroborated reports made by his coworker, Steven Napper. Then SCI called Ranghelli to return to work, and immediately fired him for speaking with the media and appearing with a company van in a photograph published by the Washington Post.  

The same day, SCI issued statements denying that any unlawful conditions existed at the National Funeral Home.  

"I grew up on morals, and I have ethics and I have integrity and dignity," Ranghelli said, according to the Post story. Ranghelli is twenty years old, a new father, and he was the only wage earner for his family.  

David Colapinto, General Counsel of the National Whistleblowers Center, represents Ranghelli. The Post story quotes Colapinto saying, "This is a cover up and a white-wash . . . They want to instill a chilling effect on their workforce."
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Two Whistleblowers Report Mistreatment of Veterans Remains

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Lindsey Williams

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On Sunday April 5th, the Washington Post reported that Steven Napper and Robert Ranghelli blew the whistle on the unethical and unsanitary conditions at the National Funeral Home.  Napper and Ranghelli reported that bodies destined for burial at Arlington National Cemetery were left, sometimes for months, on unrefrigerated racks because coolers were full and the company did not want to spend money on additional coolers.  They stated that the facility stored as many as 200 bodies in unrefrigerated areas, including the garage, and that the bodies, sometimes fully exposed, leaked fluids on the floor.  Families of the deceased are calling for an investigation into the funeral home’s actions.  A letter from the parent company, Service Corporation International, denies all allegations and insists that their facilities are run according to regulations.

While the allegations are still pending further investigation, the reports from the whistleblowers highlight how courageous employees can expose potentially illegal and unethical conduct.  Please read the articles and watch the videos linked below for more information on the case.  

“Family Asks Fairfax Prosecutor to Investigate Funeral Home” Washington Post, April 7, 2009 (PDF Copy)

“'I Never Could Have Imagined': Dignity Was Denied the Dead as Bodies Were Stored and Handled Using 'Disturbing' Methods, Area Funeral Home Workers Say” Washington Post, April 5, 2009 (PDF Copy)

“Va funeral home accused of atrocious conditions” Washington Post, April 5, 2009 (PDF Copy)

 

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