CAMDEN, N.J. — A New Jersey family is suing Boyd Funeral Home, alleging that workers placed the wrong body in their deceased relative’s clothing and presented it in the casket during a private viewing earlier this year.
The lawsuit, which was initially filed in September, claims the funeral home’s negligence led to the misidentification of Addison Jenkins, who died at the age of 81 on February 11, 2023. According to court documents, the family had arranged a viewing for February 18, followed by cremation, and had provided Jenkins’ clothing and personal items to the funeral home days in advance.
When family members gathered at Boyd Funeral Home in Camden on February 17 for a private viewing, they say they immediately realized that the body in the casket did not belong to Jenkins. The unidentified corpse was dressed in his clothing and belongings, leading to what the lawsuit describes as “shock, upset, confusion, and full of tears” as the family processed the discovery.
Despite the family’s insistence that the body was not Jenkins, court documents state that funeral home staff continued to assert otherwise. An employee reportedly showed the family text messages from the funeral director, who was not present, claiming that the body in the casket was indeed Jenkins. The funeral home’s makeup artist also reassured the family that the proper body was prepared.
However, the family pointed out distinguishing features that were missing, such as Jenkins’ cauliflower ear and an infection on his feet, which the unrecognized body lacked. The funeral director later sent photographs to the family, once again insisting that the correct body had been displayed, according to the court filings.
Michael Shaw, an attorney with the firm Eichen, Crutchlow, Zaslow, LLP, which is representing the Jenkins family, expressed hope for answers. “We look forward to the discovery phase of the case which we anticipate will bring all the facts to light and provide our clients with answers to many unanswered questions,” Shaw said in an email statement. “The Jenkins family deserves those answers and the right to properly grieve their loss.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress and mishandling of human remains. As of now, Boyd Funeral Home has not made a formal appearance in court to respond to the claims.
