Mills Funeral Home, a long-established funeral home in Kinston, North Carolina, is facing severe consequences as the state's regulatory body, the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, has revoked its license. The decision comes after a series of violations and customer complaints against the funeral home and its licensed manager, Craig Randolph Mills.

"Since 1966, Mills Funeral Home has served the families of Eastern North Carolina with honor, dignity, and respect,” Mills Funeral Home said in a Facebook post announcing the decision to close temporarily.

The revocation, outlined in a Final Agency Decision issued by the Board, highlights numerous infractions committed by Mills Funeral Home and its owner, Craig Randolph Mills. The violations, which spanned multiple cases, include failure to provide services as agreed, misrepresentation, and non-compliance with the Board's statutes and rules.

“As we navigate through these challenging times, our doors are temporarily closed so that we can restructure our business to transition to a better business model,” Mills Funeral Home said on Facebook. ”As we work to reopen our doors, we will strive to provide the kind of service, honesty, and compassion the Mills family has been known for.”

The Final Agency Decision also reveals a history of violations and previous consent orders between the Board and Mills Funeral Home. The funeral home had been subject to a Consent Order in 2018, placing it on probation until 2021, and another Consent Order in 2021 for various infractions, including the untimely filing of preneed annual reports.

As per North Carolina law, Mills Funeral Home and Craig Randolph Mills have the option to file a Petition for Judicial Review within 30 days to challenge the Board's decision. If filed, a Superior Court Judge will review the Final Agency Decision to assess its compliance with legal requirements. There is an opportunity for the funeral home to apply for new permits in the future, but their past violations would be considered by the permitting board.