053014 ryder funeral home.JPG

05.30.2014 | SOUTH HADLEY -- The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation on Friday suspended the license of funeral director William W. Ryder and closed Ryder Funeral Home in South Hadley.

(DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN)

Updates a story posted Friday at 2:07 p.m.

SOUTH HADLEY — Funeral director William W. Ryder at Ryder Funeral Home failed to properly store or embalm six bodies left in various states of decomposition – some wrapped in blankets, sheets and body bags and left in unrefrigerated rooms – according to the state Division of Professional Licensure.

Earlier Friday, the state announced that Ryder's license had been summarily suspended and the funeral home at 33 Lamb St. closed. Ryder Funeral Home had been closed since Wednesday, with other funeral directors taking control of the remains and funeral arrangements. Ryder must answer the charges June 6 in Boston. Services are still being provided by the other funeral directors.

The allegations stem from an inspection on Wednesday. Inspectors detailed these allegations:

Decedent 1: taken possession of by Ryder May 1 was in a state of decomposition a body bag.

Decedent 2: taken possession of May 22 was in a state of decomposition wrapped in blankets. The remains had not been properly embalmed.

Both Decedent 1 and Decedent 2 were in rooms, not the embalming or prep room and not a refrigeration unit.

Decedent 3: Taken possession of May 20 was in a state of decomposition, wrapped in a sheet and not properly embalmed. This body was also in a general function room at the home.

Decedent 4: Taken possession of May 22 was in a state of decomposition and not properly embalmed.

Decedent 5: Taken into possession May 22 was found a state of decomposition, not properly embalmed and in a body bag not fully sealed. Decedent 5's body was in a garage and not refrigerated.

Decedent 6: Was in the viewing room the day after calling hours and not in the refrigeration unit or embalming/prep room like the body was supposed to be. No date was given.

Decedents 7 and 8 were delivered after inspectors told Ryder not to accept delivery of another body, Decedent 9, earlier in the day on Wednesday.

Earlier this week two local funeral homes, Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton and St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels in Chicopee and Springfield, stepped in to provide services in the short term in the Ryder's absence.

The state's allegations are further detailed in this document:

Ryder Funeral Home Discipline