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The Aiken County Coroner’s Office is reviewing an accidental cremation that resulted from misidentification. A body was wrongly released for cremation, prompting immediate investigation and steps to prevent future errors. Coroner Darryl Ables took responsibility and emphasized the importance of accurate identification procedures. Affected family members will receive support, and comprehensive reviews will be conducted to enhance the process of handling deceased individuals.

Aiken, South Carolina – The Aiken County Coroner’s Office is investigating a concerning incident involving the accidental cremation of a deceased individual that occurred due to a case of misidentification. The error took place on June 23, 2025, when a staff member of the coroner’s office mistakenly identified a body, which led to its release to a local funeral home for cremation. This significant oversight was uncovered the following day, prompting immediate actions to address the situation.

Coroner Darryl Ables confirmed that the body should not have been cremated and has taken steps to rectify the consequences of this incident. The Aiken County Attorney’s Office and the South Carolina Coroners’ Association have been notified about the error, as well as the South Carolina Funeral Directors’ Association and the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation because a funeral home and a crematory were involved in the case.

The procedures for releasing a body from the coroner’s office are intricate and require meticulous verification. This process typically involves multiple steps and demands confirmation from various agencies to ensure accuracy and accountability. An intake/release log system is in place, necessitating signatures from both the coroner’s staff member releasing the body and representatives from the agency taking custody.

Coroner Ables expressed profound remorse regarding the incident, taking full responsibility for the misidentification and subsequent cremation. He emphasized the necessity of accurate identification and verification during the intake and release of bodies, underlining their critical importance in the process to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

In light of this unfortunate event, a comprehensive review will be conducted to analyze how the error transpired and what measures can be implemented to ensure that such incidents do not occur again. While details regarding the funeral home involved have not been disclosed, the coroner’s office is committed to enhancing their practices to avoid further misidentifications.

This incident highlights the complexities involved in the handling of deceased individuals and the critical importance of maintaining accurate records and protocols within coroner and funeral services. The Aiken County Coroner’s Office aims to learn from this challenging experience and strengthen its procedures to uphold the trust and respect owed to those who have passed, as well as their families.

An essential part of the response will include providing support and information to the family affected by the incident, reaffirming the coroner’s commitment to transparency and accountability. As findings from the review are gathered, further updates may be communicated to the public to ensure awareness of the steps being taken to prevent future occurrences.

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Aiken County Coroner’s Office Issues Apology Over Body Mix-Up

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