From Valleynewslive · · 2m
Woman Claims Funeral Home Mishandled Father’s Body
Woman says funeral home left father’s body deformed with wax, claiming it’s like a horror movie.
In brief
Woman says funeral home left father’s body deformed with wax, claiming it’s like a horror movie. Brandy Wren says Serenity Memorial Funeral Home mishandled her father’s body, causing deformities and wax buildup, leading to complaints and legal action. Originally reported by Valleynewslive.
Brandy Wren
A Missouri resident prepared for her father’s funeral last June when she got a call about his body being ready for viewing.
Serenity Funeral Home
Brandy Wren chose Serenity Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services on Union Boulevard in St. Louis for her father’s services.
Edward Campbell
Edward Campbell Sr., better known as 'Pretty Boy,' died at 66 after a three-year bout of ALS.
Body Deformation
Wren saw a deformed neck and face with wax covering parts of her father’s body, which caved in when she touched his nose.
“It was something like you see in a horror movie”
Complaints Filed
Wren’s experience is part of three complaints filed against Serenity by the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors since 2023.
Other Complaints
Other complaints include a son buried without family knowledge and a loved one smelling of embalming fluids during the funeral service.
Expert Review
Katelynn Schooley, a licensed funeral director, said Campbell’s appearance was normal but noted desquamation on his face covered with wax and heavy cosmetics.
State Complaints
The complaints allege improper storage, unembalmed bodies with blood stains, and false embalming dates on death certificates.
Serenity’s Response
Serenity denied the state’s accusations, claiming it made a good faith effort to comply with documentation requests.
Legal Action
Serenity filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2025 claiming state officials conspired to destroy its business through malicious prosecution.
State’s Position
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued Serenity’s lawsuit fails to meet the legal standard for malicious prosecution and has sovereign immunity.
Ongoing Complaints
The 2026 complaint includes Wren’s story and a woman’s son buried without family knowledge after a canceled funeral service.
Pattern of Issues
Schooley observed a pattern of unidentified bodies and improper identification across multiple inspections over three years.
Disciplinary Process
The state board has filed a lawsuit and complaints since 2023, with a hearing expected later this year but no disciplinary action yet.
In short
Brandy Wren says Serenity Memorial Funeral Home mishandled her father’s body, causing deformities and wax buildup, leading to complaints and legal action.
