Funeral home owner charged after scamming 6,500+ pet owners with fake cremations

HARRISBURG, PA — A Pittsburgh-area funeral home owner has been charged after allegedly deceiving thousands of pet owners by taking more than $650,000 for burial services and instead dumping animals in a landfill, officials announced Monday.

Patrick Vereb, 70, owner of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, was charged with multiple felonies, including theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and deceptive business practices, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Vereb surrendered Monday afternoon and was released on his own recognizance.

Key Points

Patrick Vereb allegedly took over $650,000 for pet cremation services but dumped animals in a landfill.
More than 6,500 victims across four Pennsylvania counties were identified.
Vereb faces multiple felony charges and has been released pending court proceedings.

Investigators said Vereb accepted payments for private cremations and returns of ashes but instead disposed of the animals improperly, sometimes giving owners ashes from unknown sources. The alleged scheme spanned from 2021 to 2024 and affected pet owners in Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

“This case is disturbing, and will cause devastation and heartache for many Pennsylvanians,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday. He praised investigators for their exhaustive review of records that uncovered the extent of Vereb’s alleged misconduct.

Investigation reveals extensive deception

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Vereb’s actions betrayed the trust of pet owners who had sought dignified services for their deceased animals. Authorities said the scheme caused emotional and financial harm to thousands of grieving families.

The Office of Attorney General has launched a dedicated website to assist affected consumers and gather additional information from victims.

Officials have not disclosed the next court date for Vereb, and it remains unclear whether additional charges or civil actions will follow as the investigation continues.

Victims urged to come forward

Attorney General Sunday emphasized the emotional toll on families, stating that pets are considered members of the family and deserved better than the treatment they received.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to ensure all victims are identified and any further fraudulent practices are addressed.

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