'THOUGHTFUL SERVICE WITHIN THE MEANS OF ALL' FD627 725 S. FAIRMONT, LODI, CALIFORNIA 95240-4699 (209) 369?3564 FAX (20!!) 369-3373 California Transplant Donation Network 1000 Broadway, Ste 600 Oakland, CA. 94607-4099 Attn: Ms. Helen Christensen Dear Ms. Christensen; It is not often that I'll sit down and use my time to write a "complainf' letter.. But today I wil_L Today my funeral home received the remains of George Eisenbeis from the San Joaquin County ?Coroner's Office after his family had very generously agreed to a transplant donation to your company. I have been a Morticill!1 for. nearly 30 years and have seen an awful lot of bodies in horrid condition but this was by far the worst donor bOdy I have ever seen. To say this was simply a "back job" would be a compliment. ? While I am not opposed to organ donation, I myself am a registered donor; I am however highly opposed to this level ofdisrespectful treatment of any.deceased. I have received bodies recovered after being ejected from vehicles in horrific car accidents that were in better condition than that of Mr. 'Eisenbeis. I ?have included photos for your reference, I have covered his face and private parts out of duty and respect, however I want you to see what I see! ? ?? ? As Funeral Directors we are often calledupon to answer questions relative to th~ conditi~n of a loved one's remains after donation. I would be mortified to be asked to give this family" an honest ? description of their loved one. This case clearly was not treated with any lev~] of dignity or respect, this was purely a ''harvest and cast-off'. Even with your 6 pages of embalming and restoration "instructions", Syn-ge! and provided Union-Allthese remains are barely emhalmable, if at all, even though the family was assured that this procedure would not hamper embalming or their ability to view their loved one. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky that you left us his. head and hands for viewing, and yes, that is his severed foot in the photo to the bottom left of the embalming table! It had not been re-attached, but did have the toe tag whicliwas eve_rso helpfuL Again, while I fully mtderstand the value of organ donation, the benefits that are derived fromit, .. and the absolute need for it, I also understand that_the treatmentofhurnan remains in the manner. photographed here today is abso11ltely unnecessary, highly unprofessional and totally ? unacceptable. I would not in all good conscience be ableto refer a family for donation and certainly would not want to be treated in this manner as a donor myself. I sincerely hope that you will u~derstand and share my sentiment. I would also hope that s~me level of feedback would be provided to your ''trained recovery technicians" regarding this ?? ? particular case. ? Respectfully Submitted, ~~~Michael Collins, Managing Director Lodi Funeral Horne and Lodi All Faith Cremation