NEW YORK (WPIX)—
The family of a New York City man who died in his sleep are suing a Bronx funeral home after they say the corpse wasn't "properly prepared" for the wake, PIX News has learned.Fernando Maldonado, 43, was suffering from multiple health problems when he suddenly died over the summer, a family spokesperson said. An autopsy was ordered by the Bronx medical examiner in order to determine an exact cause of death.
After the procedure was completed, the corpse was brought to La Paz Funeral Home, located on East 149th Street in the Bronx, where it was supposed to be prepped for memorial services on June 1.
According to the family's attorney, Michael Lamansoff, up to 100 mourners filed into the funeral home and were shocked when they saw the condition of Maldonado's body, lying in the casket.
"There was a gaping hole in his neck," Lamansoff told PIX News in a telephone interview. "There was blood seeping from his ear and stains on the pillow."
According to reports, flies were also buzzing around the corpse and the wake was interrupted a total of three times by the funeral director who attempted to calm down the large crowd of family and friends dismayed by the body.
"The funeral home violated the right of sepulture ... the family didn't want their loved one ready for burial in a horrible, disgusting way," Lamansoff said.
PIX News reached out to La Paz funeral home for comment, but an employee who answered the phone said due to legal reasons, she could not provide a formal comment. The employee, however, did say "there are two sides to every story."
It wasn't made immediately clear as to what the family is seeking in damages.
