Casey Kasem funeral: Legal wrangle amongst family members delays burial
A legal wrangle amongst DJ Casey Kasem’s family has delayed the radio legend’s burial a month after his death.
A Washington state judge granted a temporary court order to Casey Kasem’s daughter, preventing his second wife from removing his remains from a funeral home in Tacoma.
Kerri Kasem is seeking authorization for a post-mortem on her father.
Casey Kasem was a voiceover artist and host of the American Top 40, and the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo cartoons.
He died on June 15 after suffering from a form of dementia, with his care at the centre of a serious rift between his family.
DJ Casey Kasem died on June 15 after suffering from a form of dementia, with his care at the centre of a serious rift between his family (photo Getty Images)
Before Casey Kasem’s death, a judge granted an order allowing his daughter to withhold food, liquids and medication from him against the wishes of his wife of 34 years.
Kerri Kasem has expressed concerns that his body could be cremated or taken to Canada by his widow Jean, negating the possibility of a post-mortem.
Jean Kasem has rights over his remains, while his daughter held the medical conservatorship in the final part of his life.
A small, private memorial service for Casey Kasem was held in California last month, but his second wife and their daughter Liberty did not attend.
The children from the 82-year-old’s first marriage are hoping to bury him in California in accordance with his final wishes.
The judge moved to ensure Casey Kasem’s body was not taken from the funeral home while a decision is being considered about allowing a post-mortem examination to take place.
Casey Kasem began his career in the 1950s and found fame with the chart program.
He famously ended his broadcasts with his signature sign-off: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
After spells hosting countdown shows under other titles, Casey Kasem returned to American Top 40 in the 1990s and retired from the airwaves in 2009.
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