Family In Shock After Funeral Home Mix-Up Leads To Lawsuit

In Camden, New Jersey, a grieving family has filed a lawsuit against Boyd Funeral Home, accusing it of a serious mix-up involving their late loved one, Addison Jenkins. The family claims that, instead of Jenkins, an unfamiliar body dressed in his clothes was placed in the casket.

Jenkins, who passed away in February 2023, had arranged his own funeral plans with Boyd Funeral Home. When the family arrived on Feb. 17 to view the casket before the service, they were horrified to see a stranger in Jenkins’ clothing and personal belongings. In a lawsuit filed on Sept. 5, the family described feeling “shocked, upset, confused and full of tears” upon discovering the error.

Efforts to reach the funeral director that day were unsuccessful. Instead, a makeup artist at the funeral home reportedly reassured the family that the body was indeed Jenkins. This led to a back-and-forth disagreement between the family and funeral staff.

The family alleges that photos sent by the funeral director failed to resolve their doubts, as certain features that Jenkins had—a cauliflower ear and a specific foot condition—were absent. It wasn’t until a second viewing the following day that the family confirmed the body in the casket was their loved one.

Family attorney Michael Shaw expressed frustration with the funeral home’s response, saying, “Their callous approach only added to the grief of an already distressed family.” Shaw further condemned the funeral home’s handling of the situation, calling it “cruel and unjust.”

The family’s lawsuit seeks financial compensation and punitive damages, and they are requesting a jury trial to hold Boyd Funeral Home accountable for what they consider serious negligence.

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