MACON, Ga. (AP) — A family attorney says a former Macon pastor who wanted to be buried in a casket was cremated by mistake.

The Macon Telegraph (http://bit.ly/1K1Xdw6) reports that 86-year-old Joseph Thomas, who died April 12, wanted to be buried in a casket due to his religious beliefs. However, the family's attorney, David Dorer, says Bentley & Sons Funeral Home made a mistake and cremated Thomas.

The owner of the funeral home could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Dorer says he and Thomas' family are in negotiations with the funeral home's insurance company.

He declined to discuss details about the status of the negotiations.