MADERA, Calif., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A California family is suing a funeral home they allege botched a relative's embalming and put the wrong body on display for a wake.
The widow and daughter of Wrainey C. Farmer Sr., are suing Smith Manor Grace Chapel, a funeral home in Madera, Calif., after Farmer's death in April.
The family alleges the funeral home took possession of Farmer's body without their permission and contacted them to make funeral arrangements. Despite that, the family went ahead and paid $7,500 for the embalming, hosting a wake and arranging burial at a Los Angeles County cemetery.
When the widow and daughter arrived to view Farmer's body they were shocked to find someone else dressed in the suit they provided. The funeral home director, Sharlane Smith, apologized and promised to have the mistake corrected in time for a wake. But when the full family arrived for the later viewing they said Farmer's embalming had not been done properly, causing him to look "grossly mutilated" and his body to be in a "distorted form," the lawsuit alleges.
Furthermore, the funeral home did not abide by the family's request of a closed casket during Farmer's funeral service, the Fresno Bee reported Monday.
Smith's attorney said the funeral home has apologized for the mistaken body at the initial viewing and refunded the family's $7,500.
No trial date has been set for the case.
