NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- A southern Indiana funeral home had its license suspended for 90 days after a state inspection found "numerous dangerous conditions."

The Indiana State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service suspended the license for Spring Valley Funeral Home on East Spring Street in New Albany, calling it "a clear and immediate danger to public health."

Among the things found at the inspection, the state reported:

  • A strong smell of decomposition in the embalming room
  • A decedent that passed away June 17 but remained unembalmed as of June 28
  • Blood, flies and other fluids found on the surfaces of the embalming room
  • Six large medical waste containers stored in the embalming room
  • The former owner still lives above the funeral home and, despite lacking the proper licensing, still has access to the facility
  • The cremated remains of 15 people were being stored at the facility, all of whom died before 2024

"... Respondent represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health, safety, or property if allowed to continue to practice as a funeral home in Indiana," Tomas Sproles, chair of the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service, wrote in an Aug. 15 order.

Freda Mascio, a Spring Valley client, said she chose the funeral home to handle her final arrangements.

Freda Mascio

Freda Mascio, a Spring Valley Funeral Home client, said she chose the funeral home to handle her final arrangements. Aug. 19, 2024. (WDRB Photo)

"Is this funeral home going to be open or am I going to be put in a cigar box?" Mascio said Monday. "It kept me up last night. ... I want to get all my affairs in order." 

Mascio said she purchased her policy in 2018 with the funeral home's former owner, Anthony Oxendine. M. Trevor Lytle is now listed as the managing funeral home director as of March of this year. Mascio fears for her investment after her mother and sister were both buried there.

"I'm just scared. I don't know who is getting that money now," she said. "I want to get out of it."

Spring Valley representatives haven't replied to a request for comment.

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.