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Johnson Green Funeral Home Thief River Falls: An Inside Look at America's Most Infamous Funeral Home

Introduction

The Johnson Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, has long been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Known as "America's Most Infamous Funeral Home," the establishment has been the subject of numerous investigations, lawsuits, and media exposés. This article provides an in-depth look at the funeral home's history, practices, and the allegations of wrongdoing that have plagued it for decades.

A Troubled History

Johnson Green Funeral Home was established in 1898 by Edgar Johnson and Otto Green. Over the years, the business has been passed down through generations of the Johnson family. In the 1960s, the funeral home began to gain notoriety for its aggressive marketing practices and its tendency to embalm deceased bodies without the consent of family members.

In 1989, the Minnesota Department of Health launched an investigation into Johnson Green Funeral Home following complaints from grieving families. The investigation revealed a pattern of misconduct, including:

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Unauthorized embalming
Overcharging for services
Selling unnecessary items to families
Mishandling of deceased bodies

As a result of the investigation, the funeral home was fined $100,000 and placed on probation. However, the allegations of wrongdoing continued.

The Body Parts Scandal

In 2003, the Johnson Green Funeral Home became the subject of a national scandal when it was revealed that the funeral home had been selling body parts to a medical research company without the consent of family members. The revelation sparked outrage and led to a criminal investigation.

The investigation found that the funeral home had sold the body parts of more than 200 deceased individuals over a period of several years. The body parts were sold for a total of $1.2 million.

Johnson Green Funeral Home Thief River Falls: An Inside Look at America's Most Infamous Funeral Home

Introduction

The funeral home's owner, Alan Johnson, was convicted of six counts of theft by swindle and sentenced to five years in prison. The funeral home was also fined $1.5 million.

Legacy of Controversy

The Johnson Green Funeral Home scandal has left a lasting legacy of controversy. The funeral home's reputation has been irreparably damaged, and the Johnson family has been forever associated with the sale of body parts.

The scandal has also raised important questions about the regulation of funeral homes and the protection of deceased individuals and their families.

Table 1: Allegations of Wrongdoing Against Johnson Green Funeral Home

Allegation	Year
Unauthorized embalming	1960s
Overcharging for services	1960s
Selling unnecessary items to families	1960s
Mishandling of deceased bodies	1989
Sale of body parts	2003

Table 2: Penalties Assessed Against Johnson Green Funeral Home

Penalty	Year
$100,000 fine	1989
Probation	1989
$1.5 million fine	2003
Five-year prison sentence for owner	2003

Table 3: Impact of the Johnson Green Funeral Home Scandal

Impact	Description
Damaged reputation	The funeral home's reputation has been irreparably damaged.
Loss of trust	Families have lost trust in the funeral home and the funeral industry.
Increased regulation	The scandal has led to increased regulation of funeral homes.
Public outrage	The public was outraged by the revelations of the funeral home's misconduct.

Table 4: Lessons Learned from the Johnson Green Funeral Home Scandal

Lesson	Conclusion
Importance of oversight	Funeral homes should be subject to oversight to prevent misconduct.
Protection of families	Deceased individuals and their families should be protected from exploitation.
Importance of informed consent	Families should be fully informed about all services and procedures before making decisions.
Need for transparency	Funeral homes should be transparent about their practices and procedures.

Conclusion

The Johnson Green Funeral Home scandal is a cautionary tale about the importance of oversight and regulation in the funeral industry. The scandal has had a lasting impact on the funeral home industry and on the public's trust in funeral homes.

The lessons learned from the Johnson Green Funeral Home scandal can help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.