KETTERING -- Imagine somebody seeing your family member in the obituary, looking up their address and breaking into their home while everyone else is at the funeral.
During a funeral in Richmond, someone broke into the family's home, stole a TV, snow blower and some other items and then drove off in the dead man's truck.
As if being at a funeral isn't hard enough, every once in a while you hear of criminals taking advantage of the deceased.
"It is sad but it does happen it happens in this area and outside of the area and people hear about them," Routsong Funeral Home Director David Wolf said.
"Families have expressed concern because the obituary goes in the newspaper their names go into the newspaper.
So now Routsong offers a service in their package where they will have someone sit at your house while you are at the funeral to make sure no one comes in. While this is a unique service that Routsong funeral home provides, police say there are other ways to protect yourself.
"A family member that is not able to come to service can sit in the home," said Ron Roberts of Kettering Police Department. "You could have a neighbor sit in the home, also a trusted friend. "You could leave your radio on louder or a TV on. "If you have two cars then you can catch a ride with someone, leave one in the driveway park one outside so it appears someone is home. If you're going to be gone overnight leave your lights on timers."
Police say while it's not a common occurrence, you should still take these steps to protect your home.
"They are more at ease if they know their house is protected in somebody's watching," said Wolf.
Police also recommend you be careful about posting too much information on your social media as well.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.
During a funeral in Richmond, someone broke into the family's home, stole a TV, snow blower and some other items and then drove off in the dead man's truck.
As if being at a funeral isn't hard enough, every once in a while you hear of criminals taking advantage of the deceased.
"It is sad but it does happen it happens in this area and outside of the area and people hear about them," Routsong Funeral Home Director David Wolf said.
"Families have expressed concern because the obituary goes in the newspaper their names go into the newspaper.
So now Routsong offers a service in their package where they will have someone sit at your house while you are at the funeral to make sure no one comes in. While this is a unique service that Routsong funeral home provides, police say there are other ways to protect yourself.
"A family member that is not able to come to service can sit in the home," said Ron Roberts of Kettering Police Department. "You could have a neighbor sit in the home, also a trusted friend. "You could leave your radio on louder or a TV on. "If you have two cars then you can catch a ride with someone, leave one in the driveway park one outside so it appears someone is home. If you're going to be gone overnight leave your lights on timers."
Police say while it's not a common occurrence, you should still take these steps to protect your home.
"They are more at ease if they know their house is protected in somebody's watching," said Wolf.
Police also recommend you be careful about posting too much information on your social media as well.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.