Types of Funeral Abuse Cases
It is difficult to imagine that funeral homes will take advantage of families who are grieving and bereaved but it happens much more often than it should. The following is a list of some of the negligent or intentional actions our Birmingham funeral home negligence lawyers have encountered.
Mishandling of remains
The improper storage or transport of a body can affect its appearance prior to burial, making it impossible for family members to see their loved ones one last time before burial. The mishandling of remains can include dropping the body, improper storage, and preservation, and failing to properly identify the body prior to visitation.
Embalming errors
The embalming process is meant to preserve the body and provide for open casket funerals. Errors can result in early decomposition or disfigurement, forcing families to have closed casket visitations.
Cremation errors
It is important for funeral homes to ensure that cremated remains are not combined with other bodies, the correct remains are presented to the family and the right person is cremated. Sometimes, funeral directors may cremate a body without permission in order to cover up a different form of negligence. All of these acts show a blatant lack of respect for the deceased and his or her family.
Theft and fraud
From stealing the deceased’s property to overcharging for services or selling caskets that have been used in prior funerals, there are many forms of fraud that occur within funeral homes. The burial of a loved one is an expensive affair and it is wrong for funeral homes to prey on the grieving by not providing every service they agreed to or by robbing the dead.
Improper treatment of remains
Funeral operators have been found liable for misplacement of corpses, using broken or defective caskets, using broken or defective vaults or crypts, and failing to ensure a proper burial. Others have failed to verify the identities of the deceased persons they received, presenting the wrong relative’s remains to each family.
Cemetery negligence
It is the responsibility of the funeral home and cemetery to make sure that the dead are given a proper burial and this includes respecting the family’s wishes post burial. Some funeral operators and cemeteries have been found guilty of burying multiple bodies in the same plot, moving bodies without the permission of the deceased’s family’s permission or failing to provide upkeep.
Each of these cases requires careful evaluation of the facts. If you are interested in bringing a lawsuit for injuries, it is important that you communicate this intent to your family. Often times it will make sense to include all parties who were there at the service in any suit you decide to bring. These issues will be discussed with your attorney.
