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Funeral Director Loses Mom’s Cremains and Reports Them Stolen Family Files $17M Lawsuit in Brooklyn
Uniondale, NY – May 27, 2025 – In a deeply distressing incident that underscores the paramount importance of reverence to our deceased, the family of the late Georgianna Hemmings has filed a $17 million lawsuit against funeral director RICKY D. DANIELS and DANIELS WILHELMINA FUNERAL HOME. The lawsuit, filed today in the New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, alleges gross negligence and mishandling of Ms. Hemmings’ cremated remains.
Georgianna Hemmings, aged 83, passed away on August 16, 2024. Her son, SALADENN DORSEY, entrusted DANIELS WILHELMINA FUNERAL HOME with her cremation, which was completed on August 28, 2024. DANIELS picked up Georgianna’s cremains on September 3, 2024 and notified DORSEY he could come pick them up. However, upon attempting to collect his mother’s ashes on September 4, 2024, Mr. Dorsey was informed that the cremains were missing.
On September 6, 2024, DANIELS filed a police report with the New York City Police Department claiming in pertinent part he put the remains of Georgianna Hemmings, “down next to his car and walked off to check the mail. Upon returning he notified{sic} property was not there anymore….”
The lawsuit, filed by The Rizzuto Law Firm on behalf of Mr. Dorsey, cites multiple causes of action, including Loss of Sepulcher, Negligent Handling of Human Remains, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, Breach of Contract, and Gross Negligence. The complaint emphasizes the profound emotional trauma inflicted upon the family due to the alleged mishandling of Ms. Hemmings’ remains.
“In every culture, the remains of the deceased are not merely physical remnants but sacred vessels of a life once lived,” stated Phil Rizzuto, attorney for Mr. Dorsey. “They embody personal histories, cultural identities, and the collective memory of humanity. As such, it is our solemn duty to treat them with the utmost dignity and reverence. The alleged actions of the funeral home represent a profound breach of this sacred trust.”
The family of Ms. Hemmings seeks $17 million in damages, including punitive damages, to address the egregious nature of the alleged misconduct and to prompt a reevaluation of standards within the funeral service industry.
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