Funeraria Del Angel Stetler Dignity Memorial

In regards to complaint 10441786, submitted on February 10, 2015 Skillin Carroll Mortuary...

will be refunding [redacted] $495.00 for the pickup and removal fee for [redacted]. The check will be issued to Guardian Memorial, who we received the check from. Attached you will find a copy of the
check issued.
Best Regards,
Skillin Carroll Mortuary

Review: This business attempted to bamboozle my family and I into paying for services that were prepaid over 10 years ago through another funeral service provider. After our mother's death Hospice called Pierce Brothers to pick up our mother's body and the following day they called me in order to sign final arrangement paperwork. When I arrived they told me that they could not find any prearranged cremation documents. I was puzzled because I paid for the services in 2004. When I gave them My copies of the original paperwork they told me that the insurance only covered $943. of the $2358. cremation cost which left a balance of $1415. .The funeral rep([redacted]) told me that she called the insurance co. and spoke directly to them in regard to the coverage. I was told that I would have to pay the $1415. cremation fee before we could move forward. A couple of days later I found the original paperwork from Guardian Memorial who turned out to be the funeral home that was paid in full for the cremation services along with Homesteaders Life Company. I spoke with Guardian Memorial rep. [redacted] and he said that Pierce Brothers was not the funeral service that was handling the cremation but Guardian Memorial was paid for the service up front. [redacted] called Pierce Bros. and asked why they did not inform the Morales family that Guardian Memorial was on the prepaid arrangements through Homesteaders Life Company? [redacted] of Pierce Bros. told him that she did tell us but she did not tell my wife and I. Guardian Memorial took over the cremation service but was charged $495. for removing and transporting my mother's body to Ventura and in turn Guardian Memorial charged us the $495. Pierce Bros./Del Angel Co. was not forthright in providing the necessary information to us so that we could avoid paying the unnecessary fees. They intentionally hid the fact that the cremation was paid in full through another funeral service provider and attempted to have me endorse a check from Homesteaders Life Company & service contractDesired Settlement: I would like a refund of the $495. body removal/transport fee which I should not have been charged. I paid in full all fees associated with my mother's funeral arrangements back in 2004. When Pierce Bros. wall called by Hospice they should have questioned the family as to which funeral home was actually handling the transport and cremation. I would like for the Santa Paula Pierce Bros. to be investigated for unethical business practices for willingly attempting to take advantage of the grieving.

Business

Response:

In regards to complaint 10441786, submitted on February 10, 2015 Skillin Carroll Mortuary will be refunding [redacted] $495.00 for the pickup and removal fee for [redacted]. The check will be issued to Guardian Memorial, who we received the check from. Attached you will find a copy of thecheck issued.Best Regards,Skillin Carroll Mortuary