Funeral home sued after man hoping to be “raptured” is cremated

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A Jonesboro attorney has filed a lawsuit against a Little Rock funeral home after his clients said the funeral home cremated their loved one against their wishes, preventing the deceased from being “raptured following the second coming.”

According to the suit, Harold D. Lee, of Pauline, South Carolina, wished to be buried next to his parents at a Quitman, Arkansas cemetery after he was found dead on Thanksgiving Day of 2019.

The lawsuit, filed by Brandon Lacy of Lacy Law Firm on March 8, said Harold was transferred Roller-McNutt Funeral Home based on his final wishes. The six-page suit stated the family “made arrangements with Roller-McNutt Funeral Home for the purposes of the transfer, funeral arrangements, casket purchase and internment.”

Being extremely religious, the suit stated Harold “stickily desired not to be cremated, as he believed his body would be raptured following the second coming.” However, the funeral home notified the family on Dec. 10, 2019, that they “accidentally cremated the body.”

The suit stated the plaintiff, Eunice Lee, Harold’s wife, was violently shaking in shock when she learned of the mistake.

Lacy stated that the funeral home’s actions caused Harold’s family “extreme mental and emotional distress” after failing to abide by Harold’s demands.

Roller-McNutt waived the cost of the funeral, apologized for the mistake, and returned the $5,000 it was paid in burial insurance after the mistake was made, according to the lawsuit.

Harold’s family is asking for financial restitution and to recover damages.

An attorney for the funeral home, Michael Harrison, admitted his clients cremated Harold but denied all other allegations by his family.

Region 8 News called Roller-McNutt Funeral Home after hours Tuesday night. The person who responded referred us to the corporate office.

No court dates have been set.