Woman Claims Funeral Home Put the ‘Wrong Corpse’ in Her Uncle’s Suit and Casket — and Tried to Deny the Mistake

**Family Claims Funeral Home Accidentally Switched Bodies in Casket**

A funeral home in California is facing allegations from a family who claims that a mix-up led to the wrong body being placed in a casket meant for their late uncle. The incident reportedly took place at the Harrison-Ross Mortuary, where the family of Otis Adkinson had arranged for a viewing and funeral service following his passing in February. Upon arriving at the mortuary for the viewing in April, Otis’ niece, Amentha Hunt, was shocked to discover a stranger in the casket instead of her uncle, as detailed in a court complaint reviewed by PEOPLE.

Not only was the incorrect body present in the casket meant for Otis, but the stranger was even dressed in the suit that the family had chosen for the viewing. Hunt, along with Otis’ wife, Willie Mae Adkinson, have filed a lawsuit against Harrison-Ross Mortuary, alleging negligence and breach of contract, as well as intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. According to Hunt, she immediately recognized the error and went on to provide photos as evidence that the body in the casket was not her uncle’s.

The situation escalated when a staff member at the mortuary insisted that the body in question was indeed Otis, despite Hunt’s protests. It was only after Hunt presented irrefutable evidence that the mortuary staff acknowledged their mistake – a process that reportedly took several hours to rectify. The family expressed deep emotional distress and trauma resulting from the mortuary’s mishandling of the situation, with Hunt describing the experience as something that will stay with her forever.

Despite the family’s claims, Harrison-Ross Mortuary has refuted the allegations and intends to send a cease-and-desist letter to Hunt. The mortuary has yet to provide a public statement addressing the incident, and PEOPLE’s requests for comment remain unanswered. In the aftermath of the mix-up, Hunt’s lawyer, Elvis Tran, emphasised the need for the funeral home staff to improve their procedures to prevent such errors from occurring in the future. The lawsuit highlights the profound impact that this incident has had on both the immediate family members and relatives who were present at the viewing.

The consequences of this alleged mix-up extend beyond just a simple administrative error, as Hunt and her family continue to grapple with the emotional turmoil caused by the mistaken identity in the casket. The lawsuit seeks accountability and justice for the anguish and suffering endured by the family as a result of the mortuary’s actions. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the utmost importance of diligence and care in handling the remains of loved ones, particularly during the sensitive period of mourning and grieving. As the family seeks closure and resolution, the community remains attentive to the outcome of this distressing ordeal.