Second Family Files Lawsuit Against New York Funeral Home Over Wrong Body Mix-Up

A shocking lawsuit has emerged against Rivera Funeral Home in New York after the wrong body was sent for burial in Guatemala. The family of Elder Emilio Garcia Umul, who passed away at 39, claims that instead of his body, they received that of a 96-year-old woman. This unsettling mix-up was revealed during a livestream of the funeral service in May.

Leonor Valente, Garcia Umul’s mother, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “I think what they did was unforgivable.” The family was devastated to discover they had inadvertently bid farewell to a stranger rather than their beloved relative. This incident marks the second time Rivera Funeral Home has faced legal action for a delivery error, the previous lawsuit involving the body of Carmen Maldonado.

The current suit alleges negligence and emotional distress, asserting that Garcia Umul’s body “was not properly prepared for transport” and was left in New York. The family’s horror upon learning the truth was compounded by the emotional toll of misplaced trust during their time of mourning.

They are seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract and loss of sepulcher, emphasizing their right under New York law to ensure proper handling of their loved one’s remains. As this case unfolds, it highlights the critical importance of professionalism and care in end-of-life services.