Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — A family gathering to say goodbye to an 87-year-old mother was left devastated after discovering what appeared to be a stranger lying in her casket during an open-casket viewing, according to a lawsuit filed in Horry County.
Iris Gordon had arranged funeral services for her mother, Iris Evans, through Ocean View Funeral Home after Evans died in January. The family expected to see Evans dressed in clothing chosen specifically for her final farewell. Instead, court documents allege, they found an unidentified person wearing her mother’s distinctive outfit.
The lawsuit claims the incident caused Gordon severe emotional distress and turned an already painful loss into a deeply traumatic experience.
Daughter Paid $13,820 for Her Mother’s Funeral Services
According to the complaint, Gordon signed a $13,820 contract with Ocean View Funeral Home for a wake and graveside service following her mother’s death.
Before the scheduled viewing, Gordon reportedly gave Atu Williams, one of the funeral home’s owners, several personal items intended to dress her mother for the occasion.
The items included a black-and-gold African outfit, a scarf, a hat, a wig and undergarments. These details were important to the family because they wanted Evans to look the way they remembered her in life.
The lawsuit explained that the clothing was selected to create a lasting final image of Evans, recalling her dressed in her Sunday best while singing in the church choir.
Evans was described as a devout Christian great-grandmother who loved music and attending church. Her family had hoped the viewing would provide an opportunity to honor those memories and say their final goodbyes.
Family Allegedly Found a Stranger Wearing Her Mother’s Clothes
On January 30, Gordon and more than 20 relatives arrived at the funeral home for the open-casket viewing, according to court documents. However, the family allegedly discovered that the person inside the casket was not Evans.
Instead, the body was described in the complaint as an “unknown stranger” wearing Evans’ black-and-gold attire, scarf, hat and wig.
The discovery reportedly left Gordon devastated in front of her relatives and other family members who had gathered to mourn. The lawsuit states that seeing an unidentified person dressed as her mother during such an intimate and solemn occasion caused Gordon humiliation, embarrassment and an emotional breakdown.
Funeral Home Allegedly Cremated Wrong Woman Before Family Could Say Goodbye
For a family already coping with the death of a loved one, the alleged mistake created an additional source of distress at a moment intended for remembrance and closure.
Funeral Home Allegedly Acknowledged the Mistake
Following the discovery, Gordon reportedly contacted Ocean View Funeral Home staff and Williams to raise concerns about what had happened.
According to the lawsuit, Williams and the funeral home acknowledged the disturbing error. A second open-casket viewing was then scheduled for approximately two hours later.
When the family returned, court papers allege, Evans was finally in the casket. However, she was dressed in the same clothing that had previously been worn by the unidentified person.
The complaint does not identify the stranger whose body was allegedly placed in Evans’ casket. It also does not provide further details about how the mix-up occurred or whether the other person’s family was notified.
Those unanswered questions add to the uncertainty surrounding the incident described in the lawsuit.
Daughter Seeks Compensation for Emotional Distress
Gordon alleges that the experience caused significant psychological harm, including emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, according to the complaint.
She is seeking reimbursement for the $13,820 paid for the funeral services, along with additional unspecified damages.
The lawsuit centers on the alleged mishandling of the funeral arrangements and the emotional consequences of discovering the wrong person in her mother’s casket.
The claims remain allegations presented in court, and the lawsuit itself does not establish liability. Further information about any response from Ocean View Funeral Home or the outcome of the legal proceedings was not included in the provided account.
For Gordon and her relatives, the viewing was supposed to be a final opportunity to remember a woman whose faith, love of music and place in the family had shaped their lives.
Instead, the lawsuit describes a moment of grief compounded by a shocking discovery, leaving the family seeking answers and compensation for what they say happened during their mother’s final farewell.
What steps should funeral homes take to prevent mistakes like this and protect grieving families during such sensitive moments?
