Complaint Review: McFarlane Mortuary

McFarlane Mortuary, "Bill", sold us a cremation and redwood urn and death certificate, payment made within 15 minutes, by mother and father of widow (age 56), for husband (54) who died instantly while on vacation in Lake Tahoe, California. 



The death certificate had not arrived in their Ventura home, as promised, but Bill and mortuary asked for and received immediately, $75 from mother of widow, to deliver the death certificate finally.  Widow had no money, awaiting death certificate, in Ventura, California. 



Ashes were promised approximately 10 days later.  Ashes arrived by MAIL on August 15, 2011. after the Memorial service that day.  Widow (daughter) picked up ashes at Post Office after her mother had left for her Florida home.     This was about 24 days after visiting McFarlane & Bill, and 26 days after the death.



At the post office, 3 days after arrival of package (weekend), widow received a box, plastic cube of ashes was in box, widow opened up plastic, remains spilled out.



No redwood urn, whoops the particular urn was not available, but Bill could get it one in a week.  Widow demanded urn be sent immediately.  Bill promised to pay for a Ventura mortuary to fill the urn when delivered, and he would pay.



Next day, Bill asked if "a friend in Ventura" could fill the urn, widow said "No".



Many phone calls were sent to Lake Tahoe, shielded by answering service.



There should be punitive consequences here for the additional heartbreak resulting from the egregious carelessness, negligence, wilful recklessness of this mortuary, after the heartbreak of a wife losing a very very special husband, brother, son-in-law, uncle, and wonderful friend of the 150 people at the Memorial.