A Detroit husband says a voicemail from a local funeral home co-owner left him shaken, after she appeared to say she might hand him somebody else's ashes when he asked for his late wife's cremated remains. Curtis Robinson told reporters his wife died on April 12 from complications of lupus and that he is still waiting for a copy of her death certificate and a portion of her ashes. He said the recording, which he has saved, has him questioning whether he can trust the funeral home handling her remains.
Robinson said the message arrived while Butler Funeral Home was trying to schedule a time for him to come in and sign cremation paperwork. After the apparent end of the call, the voicemail appears to capture co-owner Charita Butler speaking as if the line were disconnected and saying, "I'm just gonna give him somebody else's ashes." As reported by ClickOnDetroit, Robinson told reporters the voicemail made him "real sad" and afraid that asking for a small keepsake of his wife could result in being given the wrong remains. He said his request was limited to paperwork and a small portion of the cremated remains, and that he did not want to interfere with funeral plans being handled by the decedent's sons.
Robinson, who says he is his wife's next of kin, told ClickOnDetroit that the exchange has him weighing legal options while he waits. He described the experience as "very unsettling" and said he wanted only a certified death certificate and a small keepsake of his wife. Robinson also said he informed the funeral home that his wife's sons would take the lead on the funeral arrangements.
Butler told Local 4 she was caught in the middle of a family dispute when she made the remark and denied ever giving anyone the wrong remains, saying she apologized and offered Robinson the chance to witness the transfer of the ashes into an urn. Butler Funeral Home has operated on Detroit's east side for years and holds an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. Robinson says the apology and the small keepsake Butler bought for him are not enough, and he is still waiting on the paperwork and the ashes he requested.
When Wrong Ashes Happen: Why Families Worry and What the Law Says
High-profile scandals in other states, including reports of mishandling and suspected fake ashes uncovered in Colorado, have made many families more vigilant about how cremated remains are handled and stored. Reporting by KUNC details how mistakes or outright misconduct can trigger criminal investigations and push lawmakers to tighten oversight of the funeral industry. Michigan law also places specific duties on funeral providers. The state penal code bars a funeral provider from failing to properly supervise the final disposition of a body, as set out in Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.160c.
Where Families Can Turn
Families who suspect mishandling are typically advised to request formal documentation, including a certified death certificate and an itemized cremation record, and they can file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs' Bureau of Professional Licensing. The department explains how to contact the bureau and submit complaints on its website, and it oversees licensing and enforcement for mortuary professionals in the state. Those with immediate concerns may also consider consulting an attorney. Robinson said he is exploring legal options while he waits for the remains he requested.
For now, Robinson remains without his wife's ashes and says he wants answers. The voicemail has rattled neighbors and renewed scrutiny of funeral home practices in Detroit as families weigh how best to protect their loved ones' final wishes.
