Widow sues cemetery after husband's casket drops during burial in Queens, New York
An 82-year-old widow filed a negligence lawsuit against Washington Memorial Park in Queens after cemetery employees allegedly dropped her husband's casket during burial on May 28, 2025, causing his remains to fall from the casket in front of family members. The complaint alleges the cemetery failed to properly maintain its casket lowering device and violated New York Public Health Law guidelines for handling deceased bodies. The widow is seeking damages for severe emotional distress, psychological injury, and loss of sepulcher rights.
Zinule Nisha Ghanni, 82, filed a civil complaint in Queens, New York State Supreme Court on June 2 against Washington Memorial Park cemetery, alleging that employees negligently dropped her late husband Abdulla Ghanni's casket while lowering it into the ground during his burial. According to the lawsuit, the incident caused Abdulla's remains to be exposed in front of horrified family members. The complaint accuses the cemetery of failing to properly maintain its casket lowering device, ignoring clear signs of equipment failure, and violating its own protocols and procedures. Ghanni claims the incident caused her severe emotional distress, psychological injury, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit also alleges violations of Article 42 of the New York Public Health Law and includes claims of negligent hiring, training, and supervision of cemetery workers. Washington Memorial Park has not responded to requests for comment.
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- The IndependentLeft
Grieving widow sues after late husband’s body falls from casket during burial
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