Women Visiting Wrong Grave for 20 Years File Lawsuit Against Cemetery
Two New York City sisters have filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey cemetery for $25 million after discovering that the grave they had been visiting for 20 years did not actually hold their mother's remains.
Evelyn and Hortense Edwards say they discovered the mix-up at Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey, last year when they complained about their mother's grave, number 103, falling into a state of disrepair.
Imagine their surprise when they were informed by an employee that Beatrice Williams’ remains were in grave number 132, about 90 feet from the site they had visited more than 100 times since her burial. Inside grave number 103, were the remains of a man, they were reportedly told.
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After the error was discovered, Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery admitted that their mother was in fact buried elsewhere, according to 1010 WINS.
Cemetery officials sent Evelyn Edwards a "casket verification release" form last year to have grave number 132 excavated so that she and the funeral director could inspect the closed coffin to see if it was the one in which her mother was buried, according to the New York Daily News.
Cemetery officials have yet to physically locate Ms. Edwards' body, according to the breach of contract lawsuit.
The sisters say they are not very convinced grave 132 actually holds their mother's remains either and are concerned that she is not resting in peace.
“I don’t want my mother there anymore, I don’t trust them,” Evelyn Edwards told 1010 WINS.
Her lawyer, Stephen Drummond, added, “We will seek a court’s order to get clarification as to exactly where (Beatrice Williams) is laid to rest.”
On their website, Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery allows visitors to search for the buried dead by name. The current results indicate that there are at least seven deceased women there named Beatrice Williams.
The company also informs prospective clients on its website that “great comfort can come from a (sic) knowing your future is secure, and, that you’ve made a wise investment.”
Rosedale & Rosehill Cemetery has yet to respond to The Christian Post’s request for a comment on the case.
