FRESNO – A Visalia woman alleges the country's largest death care services provider misleadingly markets its services.
Rosalinda Delacruz filed a complaint on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated on Jan. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Service Corp. International alleging violation of the California Unfair Competition Law and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant "foists expensive funeral service 'packages' on bereaved consumers" and fails to inform them they can decline the packages and purchase less-expensive services a la carte. She alleges in July 2014, she purchased a package from a funeral home owned by the defendant that cost more than $7,000.
The plaintiff holds Service Corp. International responsible because the defendant allegedly engaged in unlawful, unfair and fraudulent practices.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant; to certify case as class action and designate plaintiff as class representative; compensatory, punitive and statutory damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; and other relief the court deems necessary. She is represented by Jeffrey D. Kaliel of Kaliel PLLC in Washington, D.C. and Melissa Weiner and Christopher Moreland of Halunen Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 1:18-cv-00154