Funeral Home Accusations

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A published report says a former employee is accusing a Virginia funeral home of what he calls "disturbing and disrespectful" conditions.

The funeral home helps handle the remains of veterans awaiting burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Washington Post quotes former embalmer Steven Napper as saying during his nine months at National Funeral Home in Falls Church, Va., he saw corpses left in an unrefrigerated garage, in hallways and on makeshift gurneys. The paper says Napper has given photographs and notes to authorities.

National Funeral Home is part of Houston-based Service Corporation International, the world's largest funeral services conglomerate.

The company's president says it's looking into the allegations, but adds it's committed to treating all human remains "with the utmost dignity and respect at all times."

In 2003, Service Corporation International reached a $100-million settlement with hundreds of families over allegations involving two Florida cemeteries, including burying people in the wrong places.