A family in the U.S. has filed a lawsuit alleging that a funeral home mistakenly dressed the wrong body and placed it in their loved one’s casket. After 81-year-old Addison Jenkins passed away in February 2023, his family began preparing for his funeral. However, when they approached the casket for a final farewell, they were horrified to find a stranger dressed in Addison’s clothes.
The Jenkins family voiced their concerns to Boyd Funeral Home in New Jersey, but claim that the staff reassured them it was Addison and dismissed their worries.
The family has now sued the funeral home in New Jersey Superior Court. According to the lawsuit, they visited the funeral home on February 17 for a viewing, the day before the funeral, and were “distressed” to find a man they didn’t recognize in Addison’s casket.
The lawsuit states, “At or around 4 p.m. on February 17th, plaintiffs [the Jenkins family] approached the casket supposedly holding Addison and became immediately distressed and angered when they saw another unrecognizable corpse dressed in Addison’s clothes and belongings.” The family was shocked, confused, and deeply saddened.
Despite raising the issue with the funeral home, the family was told that the funeral director was unavailable, though another employee showed them a text from the director claiming the body was indeed Addison.
A makeup artist at the funeral home also tried to reassure the family, but they remained adamant, pointing out missing features such as Addison’s distinctive ‘cauliflower ear’ and a foot infection.
The following day, before the public service, the family requested another viewing and found the correct body in the casket.
Claiming “severe emotional distress” and improper handling of human remains, the family is suing Boyd Funeral Home, demanding a jury trial and compensation. Michael Shaw, the family’s attorney, called the incident “disturbing and reprehensible” in a statement to PEOPLE.
He condemned the funeral home’s response, accusing them of “gaslighting” the grieving family by insisting the wrong body was Addison, labeling the actions as cruel and disgraceful.