Menorah Gardens Lawsuit is settled by Ricci~Leopold on behalf of families

Lawyers settle Palm Beach County Cases on behalf of families suing Menorah Gardens and Service Corporation International

October 21, 2004

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Today, attorney Ted Leopold, partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold P.A., representing 72 families in law suits against Menorah Gardens Cemetery and its parent corporation Service Corporation International (SCI), announced that a settlement has been reached with the families in all of the cases for an undisclosed amount.

“We have come to a settlement in this civil matter which we believe will help these families move forward and bring closure to this horrible situation,” said Leopold. “The litigation brought to light SCI’s outrageous conduct.  I believe this litigation helped to bring sanctity back to these cemeteries as well as dignity and respect to all of the people who are buried there,” Leopold added.

The civil suit that Leopold and his law firm Ricci~Leopold, P.A., had filed on behalf of the 72 families stated a number of very disturbing claims against Menorah Gardens and SCI  which included secretly breaking and opening burial vaults and dumping remains in a wooded area where they may have been consumed by wild animals; burying remains in locations other than those purchased by families; crushing burial vaults in order to make room for other vaults; burying remains on top of the other remains rather than side-by-side; secretly mixing body parts and remains from different individuals; secretly allowing plots owned by one party to be occupied by a different person; secretly allowing graves to encroach on other plots; selling plots so narrow that the grave could not accommodate industry standard burial vaults; desecrating graves and markers while failing to exercise reasonable care in handling the plaintiff’s loved ones remains.

“During the litigation, we proved that the claims outlined were true. Families with loved ones interred at Menorah Gardens were emotionally distraught and had a lot of unanswered questions over what occurred at the cemetery. “The litigation not only answered many of the questions, but also helped put a lot of peoples mind at ease,” Leopold said.

He added, “Even with the settlement, I don’t believe it will ever excuse SCI/Menorah Gardens behavior, nor the emotional devastation their acts caused countless families,” Leopold concluded.

Menorah Gardens lawsuit is settled by Ricci~Leopold on behalf of more than 72 families (2)

Theodore J. Leopold is a partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A.  The firm founded in 1982, has five attorneys and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with offices located at 2925 PGA Blvd. Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500.  Additional information may be obtained from the firm’s News & Events page where you will find a copy of the complaint.

Mr. Leopold is available for comment at Ricci~Leopold offices. To schedule office interviews please contact Kim Sailer at Ricci ~Leopold, 561-684-6500.

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