Source: Robert A. Sabo/Getty
One of the most popular funeral homes in New York will have to defend its name in court. Ortiz Funeral Home is accused of using predatory tactics on its customers.
The Gothamist is reference that the eight-location chain is accused of taking advantage of people who have just lost a loved one. On Monday, April 29, the New York Department of Consumer and Employee Protection filed a treatment alleging that the company routinely uses “deceptive and opaque business practices designed to obscure pricing information and options in an attempt to charge these consumers seemingly random amounts for its services, often resulting in price variations of thousands of dollars for the same service . “
The DCWP reports that since 2019 more than 48 consumers have filed claims with the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission about Ortiz Funeral Home. Some of the offenses include failing to prepare the body as agreed, deceptive pricing tactics when it comes to pallbearers and even refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the remains after multiple requests from the family. Additionally, some families had to wait over three weeks before receiving their cremated ashes.
DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga expressed that her team is taking the issue very seriously. “I can't even imagine, already being in such a painful time and then not knowing where the remains of your loved ones are,” Mayuga said in a statement. “There are a number of violations that they committed, and that's why we're seeking redress for consumers, and we really urge anyone who has experienced similar deceptive practices from RG Ortiz to contact us immediately.”
Representatives from Ortiz Funeral Home have yet to officially respond to the matter.
