HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-15 RECORD.EO CUFF 1 CE
REC�S i A-,, r t j I-L S
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� �� JUN q Q Jordan D. Cunningham, Esquire
IJ G Cunningham, Chernicoff& Warshawsky, P.C.
C 1 F P.O. Box 60457
OR I r - Harrisburg, PA 17106-0457
O , o Telephone: 717-238-6570
Facsimile: 717-238-4809
Email: jcunningham&cclawpc.com
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA
In Re: THE ESTATE OF ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION
RAYMOND S. MARTOWSKI
NO. �' I_� ^�P
PETITION SEEKING COURT AUTHORIZATION TO CREMATE
PURSUANT TO 20 PA. C.S.A. §711(1)AND §712(3)
AND NOW comes your Petitioner, Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, Inc., by and
through its counsel, Cunningham, Chernicoff& Warshawsky, P.C., who files this Petition
Seeking Court Authorization to Cremate pursuant to this Court's exclusive jurisdiction over the
administration and control of a decedent's burial and, in support there of, avers the following:
1. BACKGROUND
1. Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as"Petitioner") is
a Pennsylvania corporation and a licensed funreal director whose operations are regulated and
licensed the State Board of Directors.
2. Petitioner and Raymond D. Martowski entered into a Pre-Need Paid-In-Full
Cremation Agreement on October 31, 2014 providing for the cremation of the remains of
Raymond S. Martowski. A true and correct copy of the Pre-Need Paid-In-Full Cremation
Contract (hereinafter referred to as the "Pre-Need Cremation Contract") is attached hereto, made
part hereof, is incorporated by reference herein, and is marked as Exhibit A.
3. On May 24, 2015, Raymond S. Martowski died and, at the time of his death,he
was a resident of Manor Care located at 940 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania. A true and correct copy of Decedent's Death Certificate is attached hereto, made
part hereof, and is marked as Exhibit B.
4. At the time of Decedent's death, Decedent was 83 years old.
5. Your Petitioner, pursuant to the terms of the Pre-Need Cremation Agreement,
came into possession of the Decedent's body on or about May 24, 2015 and since that time has
kept the Decedent's remains in refrigeration while awaiting to determine whether or not the
Decedent had any next of kin or relatives or whether any next of kin would come forward who
could authorize the cremation of Mr. Martowski's remains.
II. Investigation to Find Next of Kin
6. The Pre-Need Cremation Contract prepaid contract provided no other information
regarding the identify of Raymond S. Martowski's next of kin.
7. The records of Manor Care reveal Decedent admitted himself as a resident on
April 6, 2013 and he resided at the facility until July 8, 2013 when he was discharged. Decedent
was readmitted to Manor Care on July 10, 2014 until the date of his death. No information
2
regarding Decedent's next of kin, as that term is defined by the Probate, Estates, and Fiduciary
Code, was set forth on the intake report created at the time of the Decedent's admissions.
8. An investigation of the Social Services Staff at Manor Care revealed that the
Decedent, during his period of residencies, was never visited by any family members; was never
visited by any friends; never received any phone calls; and related nothing about his family to
anyone.. The Decedent did advised the nursing staff he had originally lived in Connecticut prior
to relocating to Pennsylvania.
9. Mary King, Social Services at Manor Care, aided Decedent in completing the
necessary paper work for pre-need cremation services and during the application process,
Decedent never mentioned to her any family or friends to contact upon his death and threatened
to sue Ms. King if she made any attempts to investigate his past or attempted to locate any of his
relatives. In questioning his past, Ms. King explained to Petitioner's agents that Decedent was
very guarded about his past and related he had originally lived in the area of Connecticut and
Massachusetts and had relocated to the Carlisle area in 2002.
10. Prior to entering Manor Care's facility, Decedent had rented an apartment from a
Nancy Kuhn for a period of ten(10)years. Petitioner's agents contacted Ms. Kuhn who advised
Decedent was divorced; was not from the area; had no known relatives; never had any visitors,
never referred to having any family; references to his family was restricted to Decedent's mother
and father; and never referred any children or grandchildren. Prior to relocating to Pennsylvania,
Decedent had resided in the New England area and drove trucks for a living.
3
III. The Law Regarding Final Disposition of a Decedent's Remains
11. The Probate, Estates, and Fiduciary Code at Section 305(b)provides that a
surviving spouse shall have sole authority in all matters pertaining to the disposition of the
remains of a decedent. If there is no surviving spouse,the next of kin shall have sole authority in
all matters pertaining to the disposition of the remains of the decedent. 20 Pa. C.S.A. §305(c).
12. "Next of kin" is defined by the Probate, Estates and Fiduciary Code as:
The spouse and relatives by blood of the deceased in order that
they be authorized to succeed to the deceased's estate under
Chapter 21 (relating to intestate succession) as long as the person is
an adult or an emancipated minor.
20 Pa. C.S.A. §305(e).
13. The State Board of Funeral Directors Regulations provide that licensed funeral
directors must obtain and maintain written authorization from the family of a deceased individual
who is to be cremated. 49 Pa. Code §13.201(7).
14. The State Board of Funeral Directors Regulations set forth that unprofessional
conduct includes the following:
11. Furnishing embalming or other services without having
obtained written permission from a family member or other
person authorized by law to make funeral arrangements for
the deceased.
49 Pa. Code §13.202(11).
15. The State Board of Funeral Director's Regulations do not define the words
"family" or"family member" or"other person authorized by law to make funeral arrangements."
4
16. Petitioner contacted the State Board of Funeral Directors to obtain an advisory
opinion as to what course of action to take in this situation. The Board advised Petitioner it had
no opinion or advise to share with the Petitioner other than to contact the coroner's office.
17. Petitioner has received permission from the Coroner of Cumberland County to
cremate the Decedent's remains pursuant to 35 P.S. §1121,however, the Coroner will not
authorize the cremation of the Decedent's remains nor will the administrator of Manor Care.
18. Petitioner, without the authorization of the Coroner, other person authorized by
law, or Decedent's next of kin, cannot, pursuant to State Board of Funeral Directors Regulations,
cremate the Decedent's remains.
19. As of the date of this Petition, despite Petitioner having custody and possession of
Decedent's remains since May 24, 2015, no next of kin or relatives have contacted the Petitioner
or Manor Care regarding Decedent's remains and thus Petitioner has no knowledge of the
identity or whereabouts of next of kin to obtain an authorization to cremate Decedent's remains.
20. The Probate, Estate, and Fiduciary Code provides the Orphan's Court of each
County shall have jurisdiction over the administration and the control of a decedent's burial. 20
Pa. C.S.A. §711 Mandatory exercise of jurisdiction through Orphans' Court division ineg_neral.
Specifically,the Section in part, provides:
...the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas over the following
shall be exercised through its Orphans' Court division:
(1) Decedent's estates. The administration and distribution of
real and personal property of decedent's estate and the
control of the decedent's burial.
20 Pa. C.S.A. §711(1).
5
Moreover, 20 Pa. C.S.A. §712 Nonmandatory exercise of jurisdiction through
Orphans' Court division, in part, provides:
The jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas over the following
may be exercised through either its Orphans' Court division or
other appropriate division...
(3) Other matters: The disposition of any case where there are
substantial questions concerning matters enumerated in
Section 711 and also matters not enumerated in that
section.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court pursuant to Section
711(1) and 712(3) of the Probates, Estates, and Fiduciary Code (20 Pa. C.S.A. §711.1 and
§712(3))to enter an Order authorizing the cremation of the remains of Raymond S. Martowski,
late of Cumberland County, said cremation to be performed by the Cremation Society of
Pennsylvania, Inc.
Respectfully submitted,
CUNNINGHAM, CHERNICOFF &
WARSHAWSKY, P.C.
Date: S By:
Jordan D. Cunningham, Esquire
CUNNINGHAM, CHERNICOFF &
WARSHAWSKY, P.C.
2320 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 238-6570
F:\Home\AHEWITT\DOCS\A-C\CREMSOC\MARTOWSKI,Raymond(Estate of)407815\PETITION for cremation 060215
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VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements contained in the foregoing are true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that false statements herein are made
subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. §4904,relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
h arper, Supervising Funeral Director
C e tion Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Dated: �/�f
02 47 09 P m 05-29-2015 3 717 5419943
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STATEMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES 3ELECTED
Dbt!aus* pAUnningi _S,W r-t owale l Date of Dead Dente of Amisgemcuts Oct to 2014
a/o Mary Kane— a;M.WaT`nut Bottom Rd.
t%I,o tam_>Qat,.+.� t:L s ffia.rtnalsle rl'1.S, ZA I.tai A w --*Code
A. SPECIAL SERVIC95: U. AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT2
Duutcrematicrti.............................8.1,,,2,95,A Ramvel .., .............._...... ,,,,_,,,
NatiouWide C9iilezantm Pro&afa.. ........... _ Lead Carand/adaergy Cas:...................... .
Worldwide Travel Pratot Aon................. Family Car(Sedan erLlmo)........................ .
TOTALSMCIAL CHARGES.............»»...$�T,��00 Servica Vtlbicte............,....,....................
TOTAL OF AUTOMOTIVE,RQUIPMENT...»._ $1
a FROFENIONAL SBRVICESt E. CASH ADVANCE ITEMS.
Sea ikxi;of Futatlr d Dtru Ater wA Stalt.......ZnC l tided tun opening......................................
Dfossing atrdtor Cosme"g....... ...... Ctamelery quilim at....I.._ ......I............
Facilities and staff for Memorial..Sierv'tce-... xewcpapw _
Crematory dlWir...............................xika l Ne'spPer - .
Stals rid ilcptiptneat for Memorial gcrviee.,,, Na wwspapel'
PtivateID Vta,.l n&........................... Clew............................................
Wiltfesaiag the Crellesutan....................... Chaff:V8txtW0rgariiat WoiAt............... . ..
Patbo wg and rorwarding Cremated Flowers.... .................................... .......»
y gbastad only CaTO=Fee
Remains by its Mall................... C ............,.,...............,..�..,
Peraottal i?etivevy olCsamattd Remains...._. Gratified Copies offha Death Certifaeata........
ScaReriag ofRemains over rand or
TOTAL OF 1'ROFZASIONAL SERVICES,,..... Sell.08 ......."
TOTAL OF CASH ADVANC89....................... S .
G MERCHANDISE: SUMMARY OF CAARGESt
it+egiaoar Bock..............................�..._._ A. Speciale:i>Hca,........__...................cy _tiT}, as.Ata
Memorial FolderWpyer Gatds.................
'thank You Cuda... ............................ l3. l'rafessiarml Servlcrs............_...........QA
ftni mberum F500186..................»»... Co ivlercliandise..................................» S0.0
Urn(s).... ..4af Ab*&vd..Zo?&taa» ..�.—. D Automotive F4j#moat........................... A"
(Deaeription)_, S. Cash AdvwAod Items.......................... 0.00
urn Burial vault Container................
(De:sesriptlon) SUt3IT31 AI.................................._...............9 i,7 9 S.00
veteran Flag,cava................................ CREDITS..,...............«..„............... –5 00.00
Grow Mark-dMonumard........................ TOTAit.11il$ $A,395.00
1. PAID.......................................................:$1,395.018
AltBAWWCZDUE............................................
TOTAL MERCHANDISE...................
...
lit mse taw packagas aro sold at a reduced ft%no mibnd will tae glvr:n fhr t tamtat.
tfany legal,ca etney,or crarmaty requiremew has n Rulmd die put dwe of any of the It=$1lsted abovo,w*will explain ft r W oirammt beltrw.
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below. A iota dsalgn or Di e� paid.. sex t+o tntPaid batGflCeaM b jIaIC 11a days Maep Iho data d'*dd
s$IaQaaa! t will also pry to aNat Dir acable roars F1nar r ar N ORilaet atraawltrt f �.y�j lilt .7rlose coni Harry iodude
a nutieW fns.aorta mats ather cow. Any additional acavba or ordered or requested aAer do dbk of this astanmtt will be Wmsidcmd pan of this
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024709—Pm o5-29-2015 41 7175419943
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Change of Policy/Certifit Anntlity IOW140V rlr Un Muwwa COMPAW
-P.O.DOX21¢
OwnershiptoTheForethoughtT ust eATESVI"INDIANX 470ot:o2t6
(Permanentand Irrevocable)
IMPORTANT: Bath sections ofform muse be completed.
RayMpnd S. Xertowarki
Name of Insured Number of Po cy Cerdfi Annuity
lrrevoceb1eAw1pmwd,ofOwm mhiptoFunwWFinns
I hat by irmvocablaassign ownersbip oftbe ForedaughtLit>ri om%ncepoficy/certificatoorannuilyto the Funeral Firm
identified belowin ntum forthapmntiw to doliver fumeni services acid merchandise,and for thepromiwafthe Funeral
Firminimmediatelytransferownathipofthopolicy/eertif tate/annuitytoTheFmtdmghtTrustonmyb"f.
Byassigningvwowhipofthepolicy/cerdficate/m maty:otheFuneralFirm,itisuuderstooa:
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anrnuty;acrd .
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offlrnemiservi msaadmerchandise;and
3. 1vmivealldghtsunderthepoficy/certif csWamuitytosturandahfbrcashandtoobtainak mragairatttupoliey/
c"ficatelanrurlty.Idonot anignthmeriglttatoanyotherperson;and
4, luuderstmAthatitismypenonalobligationtopayailpremiumsdueontbapolicy/certitieate/awuityidentifod
above;thatl retaintharighttoci aupthedesigmtedfuncmI firm;andthatlretainthe rightto chaage thenamed
t>'auCrciary. •
S gn a t711v Date
Transferof OwrtershiptoThe ForethoughtTrust
On bebalfofthe FuneralFitm,taccept the above swignment,andbereby transferowmership ofthepolicy/certificate/
ammityto7lre FotethoughtTrust.luedemtonddmtany tighttonceivepeymmtoftbepmowhiscontingentupondelivery
of funeral so Maes and merchandise.
Cremation Society Of Pennsylvania, Ino.
Name of J41nefal Firm (Please RIM Name)
►-Y 31rry
Sign ur f Au zed Represetrtative Date
2401.03 V W -CagprpyCOpy YW.WW-FunamIFttwCopy PINK-FLtiilycopy 01996foteftsaht
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