Politics: Senator calls for investigation of funeral industry
A.P.
WASHINGTON (February 26, 2002 9:26 p.m. EST) - A Connecticut senator wants congressional investigators to look into the nation's funeral industry following the arrest of the operator of a crematory where hundreds of corpses have been discovered.

"I strongly believe that we have an obligation to ensure that no widow or widower, family or community is taken advantage of during times of sorrow and stress," Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said Tuesday.

He asked the General Accounting Office, Congress's investigative arm, to look at funeral homes, mortuaries and crematories to determine whether the bereaved are being victimized by price gouging, abusive or deceptive trade practices or health violations.

So far, 339 corpses have been found on the crematory grounds at Tri-State Crematory in northwest Georgia. All but 70 of the bodies remain unidentified.

Officials believe the cost of the cleanup will surpass $10 million.