A Phoenix family is suing a funeral home for accidentally cremating their matriarch after specifically being told by relatives they wanted to host an elaborate homegoing service and paid for a casket.
In a 13-page lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 27, Carl Randall Stone, the family’s lawyer, states Eastlake Mortuary, the funeral home, was not only negligent in caring for Joann Stephen’s remains but was in breach of contract, causing emotional distress to the family.
Stephens’ son Jason Glenn said that because of the establishment’s actions, he has had no peace and feels like he broke a promise to his mother.
The Miller Family Group, LLC, the entity that owns and operates the Eastlake Mortuary, is named as the defendant in the lawsuit.
Glenn recalled his last conversations with his 86-year-old mother, saying he would take care of the funeral arrangements per her instructions. It was special to him because she had struggled with dementia, a condition that suspends memory and sometimes coherent thoughts.
But this time, Stephens told her son exactly what she wanted, local station KPNX reported.
“She would say, ‘I want a beautiful funeral.’ The casket, the color scheme. All of it was going to be to her liking because this is something that we talked to her about,” said Glenn.
“I just rubbed her hand and said ‘Mom, I’m going to see you one last time, get you all dolled up.’ She loved lipstick. ‘Get you lipstick and makeup and a beautiful gown for you. You’re gonna be beautiful. You’re gonna get that funeral that you always told us you wanted,’” said Jason Glenn, according to Fox 10.
The next morning, Glenn and family selected the Eastlake Mortuary to handle the final services. They went into the establishment, told them their plans, and paid for her caskets and burial arrangements.
Later that day, on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, the mother of six would transition.
The next…
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