Family Sues Sacramento Funeral Home Over Wrong Body Sent to El Salvador
The family of Francisco Quintanilla is suing La Paz Funeral Home after they mistakenly sent the wrong body for his funeral in El Salvador. The lawsuit claims negligence in embalming and handling, causing emotional distress. Upon receiving the actual body, it was found in poor condition, further compounding their grief. The family is seeking damages for the trauma experienced.
The family of Francisco Quintanilla has initiated legal proceedings against La Paz Funeral Home in Sacramento, California, following the wrongful dispatch of another body for his anticipated open-casket funeral in El Salvador. The lawsuit asserts that the funeral home failed to correctly embalm and transport Quintanilla’s body as agreed.
Upon the body’s arrival in El Salvador, the family was horrified to discover it was not their loved one. The complaint indicates that the funeral service utilized unlicensed personnel, which contributed to significant emotional suffering for the family. Notably, they were unaware of the error until the casket was opened during the ceremony.
The family reported that La Paz was unable to provide information regarding the whereabouts of Quintanilla’s remains for several days. Eventually, they located the correct body and forwarded it to El Salvador. However, the condition in which the body arrived was described as “shocking” and unsuitable for a dignified farewell, as it exhibited severe decomposition due to inadequate embalming.
Descriptions of the state of the body included discoloration, leakages, and unpleasant odors, profoundly complicating the grieving process for the Quintanilla family. The family’s attorney emphasized the profound emotional toll this incident has inflicted, preventing them from mourning appropriately.
Asserting claims of negligence and contract violations, the family seeks damages for their distress. Maria Mercedes Medjia de Quintanilla, Francisco’s wife, expressed the gravity of their experience, stating, “Our family planned to have an open casket service and to honor Francisco and say goodbye in El Salvadoran tradition. What happened instead was shocking and heartbreaking. Our final memory of Francisco is one we wish we could forget.”
The case has been officially lodged with the Sacramento Superior Court, with ongoing legal proceedings following the tragic mishap.
This case illustrates the critical responsibilities funeral homes hold in providing dignity and respect to deceased individuals and their families. The wrongful handling of Francisco Quintanilla’s remains has resulted in severe emotional distress for his family. Legal proceedings will determine the accountability of La Paz Funeral Home and highlight the importance of maintaining high standards within the funeral services industry.
Original Source: www.latintimes.com
