A Pennsylvania couple is suing two funeral homes after they say they were handed their late son’s brain in an unmarked box that began to leak and smell in their vehicle — an incident they’re calling a devastating breach of trust and professionalism.
Lawrence and Abbey Butler announced the lawsuit on Thursday, July 24, during an emotional press conference with their attorney, L. Chris Stewart. The couple alleges that Nix & Nix Funeral Home in Philadelphia and Southern Cremations & Funerals in Georgia mishandled the remains of their son, 56-year-old Marine veteran Timothy Garlington, who died in Georgia in 2023.
The Butlers say they received a plain white box from the Philadelphia funeral home, alongside their son’s personal effects. They had no idea it contained human remains — until, days later, the box began leaking and releasing a foul odor in their car.
“It was, and still is, in my heart — I got in my car and I smelled death,” Lawrence Butler said through tears. “We just pray this doesn’t happen to anyone else. I had to get rid of that car. I couldn’t stand the idea that the remains were in there.”
According to Stewart, Timothy’s body was sent from Georgia to Pennsylvania, where Nix & Nix was supposed to hand over personal belongings. But the couple says no one at either funeral home warned them about the box’s contents. It wasn’t until the smell and fluid seepage began that they realized what had happened.
“There is absolutely no justification for Timothy Garlington’s brain to have been placed in a separate, unmarked box and handed to his parents without explanation,” Stewart said. “This was a devastating mistake by both funeral homes.”
Stewart said Timothy’s mother even tried opening the box in front of funeral home staff shortly after receiving it but was unable to. Only later, after bringing it home, did the couple learn of its horrific contents.
“Tim was our baby boy, and he was a good young man,” Lawrence said. “This only doubled the heartbreak.”
Southern Cremations has not publicly commented on the case, though its parent company, ASV Partners, declined to comment when contacted by the Associated Press. The location in question, Cheatham Hill, is under investigation. Nix & Nix, meanwhile, told the AP that it was “definitely not our fault” and claimed the unmarked box was sent from Georgia.
Julian Nix, owner of the Philadelphia-based funeral home, said authorities were contacted immediately and a state funeral board determined his business was not responsible. However, the AP noted that documents supporting that claim have not been made public.
The Butlers say they still don’t know if their son’s brain was ever properly buried.
“We relied on their professionalism,” Lawrence said. “And they failed us. We trusted them to do what’s right — and that trust was completely betrayed.”
The family is now pursuing legal action in search of both answers and accountability, hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
