The parents of Timothy Garlington have filed a lawsuit alleging that two funeral homes mishandled their son's remains, sending his brain in an unmarked box that leaked fluid and caused distress. The incident occurred after Garlington's death in 2023, when his body was transported from Southern Cremations & Funerals at Cheatham Hill in Georgia to Nix & Nix Funeral Homes in Pennsylvania.
The Butlers picked up a white cardboard box containing an unlabeled red box, which they later discovered contained their son's brain. The box began to smell and leak fluid in their car, and when Lawrence Butler moved it, the fluid covered his hands. Attorney L Chris Stewart stated that the brain matter had been separated from the body and shipped improperly, without a sealed bag or biohazard label.
Upon contacting Southern Cremations, the Butlers were told it was a mistake. The company's owner, ASV Partners, declined to comment. Nix & Nix manager Julian Nix denied responsibility, claiming they believed the box held personal effects and that the Georgia funeral home sent it unlabeled. Nix said they reported the incident to authorities and that a state board investigation cleared them, though documents were unavailable.
The lawsuit seeks compensation and accountability, alleging negligence and emotional distress. The Butlers have not received an apology. Garlington, a US Marine veteran, has since been buried at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, but his parents remain uncertain if his brain was interred with his body.
