Tyler Stiles, Executive Director
Oklahoma Funeral Board
3700 North Classen Boulevard, Suite 175
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
Re: Hopkins Funeral Service LLC, License No. 2024ES and Harold Winton, License No. 1692FD and 1980EM
Dear Executive Director Stiles:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding agency action that the Oklahoma Funeral Board intends to take against the Respondents' funeral establishment and its funeral director (collectively the “Respondents”), license numbers 1692FD and 1980EM.
The Oklahoma Funeral Services Licensing Act authorizes the Funeral Board to take enforcement action against licensees who fail to comply with the Act. See 59 O.S. § 396.12c (A)(5), (8). The Board rules identify as grounds for suspension or revocation of a license the “[f]ailure to file a death certificate, cremation permit, disinterment permit or any other necessary permit as required by law in a timely manner.” OAC 235:10-7-2(14).
On or about July 7, 2025, Board staff received a complaint from a consumer regarding the cremation of her husband. After investigation, it was determined that the decedent died on June 2, 2025, and as of June 4, 2025, Respondent had failed to register the cremation permit. The cremation was not completed until July 21, 2025. Further, the complaint alleged that Respondents failed to file a death certificate, cremation permit, disinterment permit, or any other necessary permit required by law in a timely manner in violation of OAC 235:10-7-2(14). On October 9, 2025, the Board found probable cause to file a formal complaint against Respondents. Respondents entered into a Consent Order with the Board on April 10, 2025, to resolve several complaints. To date, Respondents have not completed the terms of the Consent Order, thereby failing to comply with a Board Order.
Therefore, this matter came on for hearing before the Board on March 12, 2026. Respondents failed to appear after proper service of the notice of the hearing. The Board found that Respondents have failed to comply with the Consent Order. Specifically, Respondents have completed none of the restitution payments agreed to in the Consent Order. The Board proposes to suspend Respondents’ license on an emergency basis, pending the final outcome of the proceedings, finding that the public health, safety, and welfare imperatively require the emergency suspension of Respondent's licenses in compliance with 75 O.S. § 314.l.
It is, therefore, the official opinion of the Attorney General that the proposed action taken by the Oklahoma Funeral Board is in accordance with the State’s policy to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
Cheryl Dixon
Deputy General Counsel
