Funeral home owner handed suspension months after guilty plea

A Nova Scotia funeral director has been handed a 90-day licence suspension for improperly sellinga pre-arranged funeral for $8,500.

TrevorTracey was issued the suspensionby the Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directorsafter pleadingguilty to a charge under the Cemetery and Funeral Services Act.

Two funeral homes owned by Traceyhave also had their licences suspended for one week by Service Nova Scotia.Thesuspensions, effective today,apply to the T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists operations in Glace Bay and Bedford.

A Service Nova Scotia spokesperson said all of the money has since been accounted for.

In a statement, board chair AdamTipertsaid Tracey took the money"without holding the proper licence" to sell pre-arrangedfunerals.

"Funeral directors are all aware what the regulations are when it comes to licensing, so it's unfortunate that Mr. Tracey didn't chose his actions more wisely," hesaid. "When the regulations are not followed, expect there to be consequences."

Tracey was fined $1,500for the offence.

Tracey pleaded guilty to the charge in August. The five-month delay before his punishment was issued was not due to any "hesitation" from the board, but because of negotiations with Tracey's lawyer,Tipertsaid in an interview.

Funeral directors and embalmers are regulated by the board, while funeral homes are licensed by Service Nova Scotia.