Summary
The Mortician is a chilling HBO documentary series that reveals the dark secrets of the Lamb Funeral Home scandal. In the 1980s, owner David Sconce profited by conducting illegal mass cremations, mixing ashes, and stealing valuables from the deceased. Through exclusive interviews and rare footage, the series exposes the depths of this funeral industry scandal, its impact on grieving families, and the reforms it sparked. Available on HBO Max, The Mortician offers a sobering look at greed and ethics in a business built on trust and respect for the dead.
In 2025, HBO released The Mortician, a chilling documentary series exposing one of the darkest scandals in the funeral industry. This gripping three-part docuseries uncovers the disturbing practices at the Lamb Funeral Home in Pasadena, California, during the 1980s, revealing a story of greed, exploitation, and profound disrespect for the dead. Directed by Joshua Rofé and executive produced by Jonah Hill, The Mortician dives deep into the true events behind David Sconce’s unethical reign.
What Is The Mortician HBO Documentary About?
The Mortician chronicles how David Sconce, the owner of Lamb Funeral Home, committed appalling acts by profiting off the dead in ways most would find unimaginable. Instead of treating families’ loved ones with dignity, Sconce engaged in mass cremations—cramming multiple bodies into a single furnace and breaking bones to fit more. The ashes were mixed and given to families, often leading to heartbreaking confusion and betrayal. The series reveals these horrors through interviews with former employees, grieving relatives, and experts in funeral industry ethics.
The Dark Truth Behind Lamb Funeral Home
David Sconce inherited Lamb Funeral Home, a business with a longstanding reputation. But under his management, the funeral home became synonymous with exploitation. Sconce’s greed led to:
- Mass Cremations: Multiple bodies burned together to save costs.
- Bone Breaking: Human bones were forcibly broken to fit more remains into cremators.
- Ash Commingling: Families were given ashes mixed with those of strangers.
- Theft from the Deceased: Staff stole valuables like gold fillings and jewelry.
These actions, not only illegal but profoundly disrespectful, shattered the trust of many families and sparked calls for reforms within the funeral industry nationwide.
Exclusive Insight: Interviews and Footage
The documentary features rare interviews with David Sconce himself, who remains cold and unapologetic about his actions. Former employees recount their shock and guilt, while victims’ families share stories of trauma and loss. The series uses exclusive archival footage and investigative journalism to build a comprehensive picture of the scandal.
Why The Mortician Is a Must-Watch Documentary
The Mortician does more than just expose a crime—it offers a sobering look at how industries that deal with death can be vulnerable to corruption and abuse. Viewers are prompted to reflect on:
- The importance of transparency in funeral services.
- Ethical responsibilities in handling the deceased.
- How greed can exploit grief and trust.
The documentary also serves as a wake-up call for consumers to be vigilant about funeral home practices and for regulators to enforce stricter oversight.
Where and How to Watch The Mortician
The Mortician premiered on HBO on June 1, 2025, with weekly episode releases on HBO Max. It is available internationally via Max’s streaming service, making it accessible worldwide, including India and other regions. The final episode aired on June 15, 2025.
The Impact of the Lamb Funeral Home Scandal on the Industry
The revelations from this scandal prompted:
- Stricter federal and state regulations on cremation practices.
- Increased industry standards for handling remains.
- Greater consumer awareness and demand for transparency.
The documentary helps viewers understand why funerary ethics matter and how the Lamb Funeral Home scandal reshaped the business.
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Final Thoughts: The Mortician and the Legacy of Respect for the Dead
At its core, The Mortician is a story about respect—for families, for the deceased, and for ethical business practices. It exposes how one man’s greed can devastate countless lives and reminds us all of the humanity we owe to those who have passed on.
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