Families sue Warren Funeral Chapel

A group brought a class-action lawsuit against the funeral chapel.

By Amanda Wysocki

Published Oct. 24, 2008

Patricia Johnson says she still has yet to find the body of her sister, Mable Mercer-Sheley, whose funeral was one of the many handled by the Warren Funeral Chapel in Columbia.

Johnson is one of multiple people bringing a class-action lawsuit against the Warren Funeral Chapel. The Warrens are facing charges of mishandling of the dead and fraud.

"I would like him to pay for my sister to be exhumed and moved," Johnson said. "I don't think they can make enough money to pay for what they have done to my sister or my family."

Johnson has been taking care of her 7-year-old nephew since Mercer-Sheley's funeral.

"Kids hear a lot of things at school," she said. "My sister's son is coming home and asking me different questions. He should be compensated for all the grief and anxiety that has been caused to him."

Johnson urges those that have had their family members mishandled by the Warrens to step forward.

"He needs to be held accountable for what he has done, and he can't get away with it," Johnson said. "Step forward and tell your story. All the families affected should get together and share our stories. That's all we have right now."

Along with the potential class-action lawsuit, the attorney general's office has filed a preliminary injunction against the Warrens. There is a hearing scheduled on Nov. 3 to respond to the allegations brought forth by the attorney general.

"The judge could decide whether to make the preliminary injunction a permanent injunction and determine any other issues as to whether the Warrens will have to pay restitution or penalties," said Scott Holste, spokesman for the attorney general's office.

It has yet to be determined if the case will go to trial.

"We won't make any predictions," Holste said. "We were able to get a preliminary injunction and protect the families involved."

Dan Viets, the lawyer for the chapel, said it is trying to settle the concerns without a trial.

"We are trying to work out the problems and complaints informally," Viets said. "We are working on trying to address their concerns, and there may never be a trial. It is just too early to say if that will happen."