LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer-protection lawsuit against Arkansas Funeral Care (AFC) for allegedly not providing its services in a timely manner.
Under the claims in the lawsuit, AFC entered into contracts and then allegedly failed to perform its services in a timely, professional and respectful manner. In some cases, the company allegedly did not provide the expected services at all.
“Anytime Arkansans enter into a contract with a business, they expect all agreed-upon services to be performed timely and ethically,” Rutledge said. “The loss of a loved one can be one of the most difficult periods in anyone’s life, and a funeral provider has an obligation to make this time easier. Unfortunately, Arkansas Funeral Care violated the trust of Arkansas families and they must be held accountable for their disgusting actions.”
The attorney general’s office had received complaints from multiple families. These complaints included allegations that AFC had delays in embalming services, which led to extreme body decomposition, forcing families to have closed-casket services. One victim reported that her husband’s cremation was allegedly delayed three weeks and was not available for the memorial service.
Rutledge seeks civil penalties, restitution for affected consumers and attorneys’ fees. It was filed in Pulaski Circuit Court.