HOUSTON – A Houston funeral home director is charged with five felonies after investigators say they submitted forged documents to obtain a state license — and then stole the estate of a man whose family hired them for his funeral.
Unique Green, the unlicensed director of A Community Funeral Home on Wheeler Avenue, faces charges including theft, forgery, and tampering with government records, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
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The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office confirmed Green was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.
Green faces charges brought by the Houston Police Department and the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, according to records obtained by KPRC 2 News.
How the alleged scheme unfolded
Lawrence Gammon, 78, died naturally last summer. His out-of-state family contacted Green for funeral services and provided personal information over email, investigators say.
Within weeks, Green allegedly filed a fraudulent last will and testament claiming to be Gammon’s common-law spouse — and sole heir to his entire estate. Prosecutors say the two had no connection before his death.
From there, while pretending to be his widow, Green allegedly stole Gammon’s three vehicles, his home on Tottenham Drive, and nearly $2.2 million from his bank accounts, according to records.
“When we bury a loved one, we cry together, we smile together, we laugh about good times, and we remember a life well lived,” said Adam Brodrick, Chief of Consumer Fraud at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “Green has effectively robbed this family of that experience.”
Brodrick described the case as “very sophisticated” and said simply: “It’s as bad as it gets.”
Police raid during an active funeral
In November, Houston police raided A Community Funeral Home on Wheeler Avenue in the middle of a funeral service.
KPRC 2 cameras captured investigators removing boxes of electronics and 48 boxes of cremains — including, according to records, those of Lawrence Gammon.
Investigators wrote in court records that some families had been waiting for the remains of their loved ones since 2023.
Forged credentials, no license
Some of the felony charges stem from allegations that Green also submitted fraudulent documents to the Texas Funeral Service Commission, claiming to have military experience as an “exceptional embalmer” with an outstanding reputation.
Records show Green never served in the armed forces and never obtained a license as a funeral director or embalmer — all while operating a community funeral home.
In addition, investigators said Green forged the signature of a past employee at A Community Funeral Home in documents submitted to the TFSC to operate the business, despite that former employee telling investigators he never gave oral or written permission for Green to become the funeral director in charge.
Attorney responds; more victims possible
An attorney representing Green in an ongoing probate case said he was not aware of the new felony charges when contacted by KPRC 2 News on Tuesday afternoon.
He said Green maintains having rights to Gammon’s estate but would not elaborate on how the two knew each other.
A phone number for Green went straight to voicemail on Tuesday evening.
Prosecutors say they have not ruled out additional victims connected to the scheme.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Fraud Unit.