Sharon Howell, 50 was jailed today for 2 years and 1 month
Yesterday saw the imprisonment of an undertaker for 2 years and 1 month for her wrongful depredations to grieving families who had paid her thousands for poor burial services.
Sharon Howell, 50, delayed funeral arrangements for several weeks, left bodies in the morgue and pocketed extra deposit payments for herself after being entrusted by victims to organise send-offs for loved ones.
Howell, who owned Kenworthy’s funeral directors Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, extorted at least nine families out of their cash.
Clients said the mother-of-three from Uppermill, near Oldham, talked about her love life when asked about coffins and floral wreaths, failed to book ceremonies and even lied about the dead being kept safe in a Chapel of Rest, a court heard.
Howell also repeatedly took up to £1,000 at a time from victims’ accounts without permission, falsely blaming Chip and Pin card machines when confronted.
She admitted to six charges of fraud by false representation and six trading standards offences at Minshull Street Crown Court.
Investigators found two corpses she was asked to bury, or cremate, that had started to decay because she hadn’t taken the time to organize their funerals.
It was found that her business premises had been left in a scruffy state. There were several old coffins, a hearse and limos hidden within the garage.
In total she stole £15,258, a court was told.
One of the services was eventually transferred to another funeral parlour.
Graham Hallworth, who was conned out of £1,000 after Howell offered to arrange the funeral for his uncle Roy in November 2018, said in a statement: ‘I feel that Sharon has been very unprofessional throughout the entire funeral process.
“I had to chase her constantly, but also I was receiving grief from my family regarding funeral arrangements.
Howell also repeatedly took up to £1,000 at a time from victims’ accounts without permission, falsely blaming Chip and Pin card machines when confronted
“I am ashamed of the funeral arrangements made for my uncle and the outcome.” She has been a shrewd and opportunist, taking advantage of the situation. To take the money, she may have delayed my uncle’s funeral.
Fred Saxon, who lost £3,528 after the death of his mother Audrey in December 2018, also said: ‘Sharon came across as being very disinterested and like she couldn’t be bothered.
“My cousin Kirsty was constantly chased by her, and all arrangements were made at the last moment. She has stolen my extra income. It is wrong for her to do that job. She has taken advantage of others.
Hilary Bedson (a nurse, whose mother June Herrod died in December 2018) said: “I trusted Kenworthy’s. Sharon has let me down.”
“The absence of contact has made me very stressed and I cringe to imagine what my mother would have been like if she had died.”
“It has led to a family conflict, resulting in family members refusing to speak to me. It also means that I am unable to mourn for my mother.
Rachel Cooper (prosecutor) described the ordeal of Karen Cummings in organizing her mother’s funeral. However, she discovered the body had been at Hospital Bereavement center for nearly a month and was not in a Chapel of Rest like Howell believed.
Miss Cooper explained that her mother called Hospital Bereavement center for assistance. A man answered and said “I’m not sure how to explain this to you.” Your mom is still with us at the hospital.
She was finally able see her mother about a month after the fact.
“She was unable to recognize her mother’s body anymore. She attributes the delay. It was a terrible experience that left her feeling devastated.
Miss Cooper shared stories of clients who had experienced similar experiences. These included Howell not organizing flowers and cars, failing put death notices into the papers, acting disinterested, and Howell not making arrangements for flowers and cars.
Howell admitted to six charges of fraud by false representation and six trading standards offences
Since then, the business was sold.
Even though Robert Howell, Howell’s ex-husband owned the company and Howell claimed it was her own business, Howell told the court that she was running the firm for many years. She was also the contact point for grieving families.
Before the thefts were discovered, Howell was contacted repeatedly by the council regarding unpaid cremation bills at Dukinfield Crematorium.
Tameside Council received many complaints about Howell later. They cited poor customer service and donations that were not received by charities such as the British Heart Foundation. Also, payments taken without authorization from clients’ accounts.
In February 2019, police and the trading standards office visited the funeral parlour and asked to visit the Chapel of Rest.
It was found to be in an “extremely poor” condition.
The body of June Herod was found in a refrigerated container. One officer left the room because the smell was too strong and shocking.
Howell, who managed Kenworthy’s funeral directors Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, extorted at least nine families out of their cash.
Howell was asked to interview, but he left suicide notes at the funeral home. Police were alerted.
After being admitted to the hospital, she was taken into custody and interrogated. She denied that any crimes had been committed.
Mark Fireman, mitigation defense counsel said that it was an example of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.
When Judge John Potter sentenced Howell, he said to Howell, “At that time, you defrauded victims. They were grieving the loss a close friend, family member or relative, and were therefore vulnerable and at an emotionally charged point in their lives.
The shock and distress each would have experienced at having been treated poorly by your carelessness by deep, dishonest and deceitful acts of cruelty that you committed at the time.
“These were particularly serious offences and shocking in which you demonstrated a dishonesty and disgraceful lack care behind a tissue full of lies and dishonesty.”