In a shocking revelation, a man has taken legal action against a cemetery in Los Angeles for mistakenly placing his mother’s headstone over the wrong grave for more than three years. The lawsuit, brought forward by Chris Demirchyan, accuses Forest Lawn Mortuary and the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association of multiple charges, including fraud, negligence, and emotional distress. The family only uncovered the alleged mix-up when they buried Chris’ father earlier this year, highlighting a distressing error that has deeply impacted their grieving process.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/wrong-grave-1-060625-bb946a27909d4bc8a2c84234dff3f77f.jpg)
The legal document details that Chris’ parents had purchased two burial plots at the cemetery back in 2008. In 2012, Chris reportedly acquired additional burial plots to accommodate the family. When Chris’ mother passed away in July 2021, she was laid to rest in one of the purchased plots. However, a month later, a headstone bearing his mother’s name was apparently placed on the wrong burial site, unbeknownst to the family. This misguided placement went undetected for years as they unknowingly paid respects to the incorrect plot.
The situation came to a head when Chris’ father passed away in April this year. During the funeral service for his father, Chris was informed that the headstone intended for his mother had been wrongly positioned over a different gravesite. The revelation left Chris and his family in a state of shock and devastation, realising they had been grieving at the wrong site for their mother for an extended period. The emotional toll of unknowingly visiting the incorrect grave site has been immense for the family, as they grapple with the repercussions of the grave error.
Chris’ attorney, Rosie Zilifyan, expressed profound disappointment in Forest Lawn’s handling of the situation, condemning their failure to ensure proper grave marking as negligent and callous. The lawsuit aims to hold the cemetery accountable for the distress caused to Chris and his family, seeking justice and resolution for the emotional and financial damages incurred. Despite Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s assurances to correct the misplacement of the headstone, the impact of their oversight has been deeply felt by the grieving family, underscoring the need for accountability and rectification.
Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, Chris’ sister, Marine Demirchyan, articulated the profound emotional turmoil caused by the grave error. Reflecting on the misplaced headstone, she lamented the sense of loss and disconnection it evoked, turning visits to the gravesite into a painful reminder of the mistake. Chris echoed these sentiments, expressing disbelief and questioning how such a fundamental error could occur. The family’s grieving process has been further complicated by this oversight, intensifying their emotional distress and amplifying their sense of loss.
The lawsuit accuses Forest Lawn Memorial Park of recklessness, negligence, and breaching contractual obligations, highlighting their failure to uphold basic responsibilities in maintaining the sanctity of burial plots. As the legal proceedings unfold, the family seeks solace and justice for the anguish endured due to the cemetery’s grave mistake. The lasting impact of the misplaced headstone serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of honouring loved ones’ resting places with care and respect, underscoring the need for meticulous attention to detail in such sensitive matters.