Florida funeral home employees fired after Dunkin Donuts stop with veteran's body in hearse; were they right to fire?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:13:05 -0400

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/florida_funeral_home_employees.html

Is this disrespectful regardless if the deceased is a Veteran or not?

Did the guys deserve to be fired?

Florida funeral home employees fired after Dunkin Donuts stop with veteran's body in hearse

Lt. Col. Jesse Coleman's body was en route to Lecanto for his memorial service when the employees, a driver and a licensed funeral director, made their morning pit stop. They have since been let go by the funeral home.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made May 13 at 2015 10:13 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:13:20 -0400

Disrespect

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 13 at 2015 10:23 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:23:03 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, I thought it was in poor taste. More importantly, the owner(s) of the funeral home thought so as well, so it doesn't really matter whether I think it's right or wrong!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 13 at 2015 10:27 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:27:18 -0400

Damn right I'm offended! When I'm dead, the driver better stop at Starbucks! One last Venti white chocolate mocha with extra whip for the road! Dunkin Donuts is for those who can't afford good coffee...

Response by SPC Fred Krauer made May 13 at 2015 10:28 PM

SPC Fred Krauer — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:28:25 -0400

OH MY GOD! I'd kill them! I used to work at a funeral home and I just left The Old Guard / 3rd Infantry Regiment so I know better to treat decedents like this, but one would think it was common sense to treat the dead with nothing but respect. That is the remains of a human being in that box. They might not mean shit to you, but to someone they were the whole world. To make matters worse, this happened to be the remains of a veteran who sacrificed for the people of this country, not some deadbeat drunkard. I'm glad I'm not in Florida anymore. I'd probably lose my mind on the funeral home that employed these people

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 10:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 22:29:06 -0400

I don't get the big deal. Would it still be an issue if they stopped to get gas? Was it the fact it was Dunkin' Donuts?

Response by SGT John Wesley made May 13 at 2015 11:04 PM

SGT John Wesley — Wed, 13 May 2015 23:04:23 -0400

This happened locally for me. I think its disrespectful at worst, stupid at least. I've never seen a hearse parked anywhere other than at a funeral home or cemetary, and I guess that's what makes this so unusual. They've both been fired and rightly so.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 12:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 00:28:42 -0400

As it turns out they were on a 5 hour drive. We shouldn't be so quick to break out the torches and pitchforks.

http://www.wfla.com/story/29058504/driver-responds-after-getting-fired-for-leaving-hearse-veterans-coffin-in-parking-lot-while-getting-doughnut-coffee

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 5:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 05:15:01 -0400

I fail to see the reason why those two individuals would be fired, they are human beings that wanted something to eat real quick while doing their duties, is not like they parked in a strip joint or went to get high

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 7:21 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 07:21:35 -0400

I will not have a funeral. I believe that way too much is made about what or how a deceased body is handled, buried etc.

But, that is only my opinion. When one loses a loved one there are many emotions in play. Those involved in the situation at that time should have nothing but the utmost care in how they treat the body. Anything less is indeed disrespect.

I do not believe the veteran status should have any impact on the care given. Everyone deserves the respect.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 3:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:10:51 -0400

ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 3:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:15:45 -0400

You know, it is not so much that they stopped, I know that nature calls... But the lack of freaking respect. At least ONE person should've stayed with the vehicle, sorta like what the Army do at the Unknown Soldier Tomb. Someone should've stayed standing next to that vehicle. RESPECT
ALL about RESPECT

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2017 12:45 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 00:45:32 -0500

Could have been much worse but it's still totally unsat. Imagine the same hearse going through a drive through at McDonald's or maybe parked at a local beer joint or topless strip club. How about going through a car wash, or parked at a local beach? Jiffy-Lube maybe, or perhaps catch a matinee before dropping the casket off? The owner had little choice but to fire them. There are career-limiting decisions and there are clear cut career-ending decisions. This was the latter, because despite all the apologies in the World or even the widow's wish for them not to be fired, eventually somebody would bring it up in the future. It only takes one unhappy customer or attorney to stumble across the tape and they're in court. This would be very compelling evidence in a future jury trial seeking restitution for substandard services.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2019 2:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 14:19:30 -0400

Without a doubt the firing was justified in my view, regardless of who's remains are inside the hearse. Certain professions require corresponding codes of conduct (which we here are especially familiar with), and I seriously doubt that the donut stop was OK - one man's opinion.