Businesses In Cemetery Scandal Will Offer Prepaid Funerals Again

Saturday, May 26th 2007, 8:49 pm

By: News On 6

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ The Memphis funeral homes where former owners allegedly stole millions in trust funds meant for prepaid funerals will restart the practice of allowing customers to pay for funerals in advance.

Tennessee seized the three Forest Hill businesses and three cemeteries and charged the companies' owners, who face more charges in Michigan.

Sixty-seven-year-old Clayton Smart was transported from Oklahoma to Tennessee Friday and was booked into the Shelby County Jail.

Two of Smart's business partners have also been charged.

Prosecutors say in Tennessee alone $20 million in cemetery trust funds has been lost or stolen.

The new general manager, Roger Watson, says the public can trust Forest Hill to honor new prepaid policies.

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1/26/2007 Michigan Freezes Oklahoma Attorney's Assets In Cemetery Investigation

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