North Philadelphia funeral home allegedly provided parents with unmarked box containing their son’s brain, according to a lawsuit.

In November 2023, Lawrence and Abbey Butler faced an unimaginable ordeal following the death of their eldest son, Timothy Garlington, aged 56. After retrieving his possessions from a funeral home in North Philadelphia, the couple discovered a plain white box containing a smaller, difficult-to-open red box inside their vehicle. Days later, an unpleasant odor prompted them to inspect the container, leading to the horrifying realization that it contained their son’s brain.

The Butlers are now pursuing legal action against Nix & Nix Funeral Homes in Philadelphia and Southern Cremations & Funerals in Georgia, alleging negligence that has resulted in severe emotional distress and mental anguish during an already tragic time. Timothy Garlington, who had lived in Georgia, passed away due to a catastrophic incident, details of which have not been disclosed. The family is represented by an Atlanta-based legal team that highlights the emotional toll this situation has imposed on the Butlers.

After Garlington’s passing, his remains were initially taken to Southern Cremations & Funerals. The Butlers, particularly Timothy’s mother, insisted on a burial in Philadelphia, which Garlington had always considered his true home. Consequently, his body and associated remains were transferred to Nix & Nix Funeral Homes. The Butler family’s attorney lamented that this incident, which they characterize as having nightmarish qualities, defies comprehension and exceeds the bounds of typical funeral home procedures.

Representatives from Nix & Nix have indicated that the incident has been thoroughly investigated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors but offered no further commentary on the matter. As of now, no disciplinary actions against Nix & Nix have been made public. Attempts to contact Southern Cremations & Funerals have not yielded any responses to inquiries.

The exact circumstances surrounding why Garlington’s brain was stored separately and how it ended up with his family remain unclear. It was noted that Nix & Nix maintained an inventory of Garlington’s property, which did not include the unmarked white box. The Butlers’ attorney asserts that the funeral home had a professional responsibility to examine the contents before returning them to the family.

The tragic case highlights significant concerns regarding protocol and communication within the funeral industry. It underscores the necessity for thorough procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Lawrence Butler expressed his hope that no other family will endure the distress his family has faced, emphasizing the importance of trust in funeral services during such vulnerable moments.