When a loved one passes away, the process of planning their funeral can be a difficult and emotional time for the family. They may be dealing with grief, shock, and a range of other strong emotions, and it’s important that the funeral home they choose is able to provide them with the support and guidance they need. Unfortunately, there are times when funeral homes fail to meet the needs of the families they serve, and the family can sue the funeral home for premises liability negligence. 
There are a number of reasons why someone might sue a funeral home for negligence. Some common examples include:
- Improper handling or storage of the deceased’s body: If a funeral home fails to properly handle or store a deceased person’s body, it could lead to decomposition or other damage. This can cause significant emotional distress to the deceased person’s family, and they may decide to sue the funeral home for negligence by hiring a personal injury lawyer in Alabaster or anywhere else in Alabama.
- Misrepresentation of funeral services or costs: If a funeral home misrepresents the services it will provide or the costs associated with those services, it could be considered negligent. For example, if a funeral home promises to provide a certain type of casket but then substitutes a cheaper one without the family’s knowledge or consent, this could be grounds for a negligence lawsuit.
- Failure to follow the family’s wishes: If a funeral home fails to follow the specific instructions or wishes of the deceased person’s family, it could be considered negligent. For example, if the family requested a certain type of funeral service and the funeral home did not provide it, this could be grounds for a lawsuit.
- Unprofessional behavior: If a funeral home or its employees behave unprofessionally or disrespectfully towards the deceased person’s family, it could be considered negligent. This could include things like failing to return phone calls or emails in a timely manner, or not providing adequate support and guidance during the planning process.
It’s important to note that not every mistake or error made by a funeral home constitutes negligence. However, if a family believes that a funeral home has been negligent in its duties and has caused them significant emotional distress or financial harm, they may choose to file a lawsuit. If you believe that a funeral home has been negligent in its duties, it’s important to speak with a Jefferson County personal injury attorney to understand your legal options.
Attorney Steven A. Harris regularly blogs in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, and real estate closings on this website. He is always available in any of the firm’s offices or by phone anytime for a consultation. Mr. Harris tries to provide informative information to the public in easily digestible formats. Hopefully you enjoyed this article and feel free to supply any feedback. We appreciate our readers and love to hear from you!