A South Carolina daughter has sued a funeral home after discovering a stranger wearing her mother’s clothes in the casket during an open-casket viewing.
Iris Gordon, the daughter of 87-year-old Iris Evans, filed suit Thursday in Horry County against Ocean View Funeral Home over the mix-up that unfolded Jan. 30, according to court papers. Gordon had signed a $13,820 contract with the funeral home for a wake and graveside service after Evans died in January.
Before the scheduled viewing, Gordon gave funeral home owner Atu Williams her mother’s black-and-gold African attire, scarf, hat, wig and undergarments, the lawsuit states. The family intended those items to create a lasting final image of Evans dressed in her Sunday best, reminiscent of her singing in the church choir.
“For her family members, these items were provided with an intent to create a long-lasting final image of Mrs. Evans — reminiscent of her dressed in her Sunday best while singing in the church choir,” the lawsuit claimed.
Evans was described as a devout Christian great-grandmother who loved music and attending church.
Gordon and more than 20 family members arrived for the viewing expecting to pay their final respects. Instead, they found an unknown stranger lying in the casket wearing Evans’ carefully chosen clothing.
“Iris was devastated by what she saw and the experience,” the lawsuit said.
“The image of an unknown stranger dressed as her mother at the solemn occasion of a viewing in front of herself and all of her closest family members caused her humiliation, embarrassment, and to break down emotionally.”
Gordon immediately contacted Ocean View staff and Williams, who allegedly acknowledged the funeral home had made the disturbing error. A new viewing was scheduled for two hours later.
When the family returned, they found Evans in the casket dressed in the same clothing the stranger had worn. The identity of the stranger was not disclosed in the complaint.
Gordon’s attorney, Benjamin Baroody, did not immediately respond to requests for further details about the case. Ocean View Funeral Home also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit seeks $13,820 for the cost of the services plus additional unspecified damages. Gordon claims she suffered emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression as a result of the incident.
The complaint was filed Thursday in Horry County court.