PITTSBURGH — The head of a prepaid funeral supply business was sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for ripping off hundreds of clients of about $2.5 million by not delivering vaults and caskets — including one to a family whose loved one had to be laid on a table for viewing.

Joseph M. Stabile, 39, of Forest Hills, was sentenced to 77 months in prison Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in April to charges including conspiracy, mail fraud and making false statements on tax returns while he was president and CEO of Celestial Burial Case Co.

The company, which had offices in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, marketed primarily to senior citizens — in particular, veterans through magazines and licensing agreements with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and the American Legion, authorities said.

U.S. Postal Inspector Andrew Richards said such ads gave customers the impression that "if national organizations trust us, it goes without saying you can, too."

"This is one of the most offensive consumer fraud schemes we have ever had in this area," Richards said. "Stabile succeeded in not only stealing their money, but also their dignity and peace when it was most needed."

Stabile created false documents to conceal the scheme and often used outlandish excuses for not delivering.

One woman, Debbie Gorley of Ada, Oklahoma, told prosecutors that Stabile claimed her father-in-law's casket failed to arrive because of increased anti-terrorism airport security in 2003.

The funeral for Gorley's father-in-law, a World War II veteran, was postponed for several days so the family could buy another casket from a local funeral director. Stabile promised to reimburse the family and eventually sent a $4,000 check, which bounced, Gorley said.

Stabile's victims included people in 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Celestial Burial operated several businesses, including Keystone Family Services Inc. and Angel Arms Casket Co. Inc., prosecutors said.

Under Pennsylvania law, prepaid funeral companies must deposit 70 percent of payments into a trust account until the customer dies and the services or merchandise were provided. But prosecutors say only $54,000 was deposited out of $2.5 million the customers paid in advance.