Legacy Cremation Services, Deceptive Funeral Practices, Florida 2024

Defendants Legacy Cremation Services, LLC, Funeral & Cremation Group of North America, LLC, and Anthony Joseph Damiano were sued by the U.S. government in a shocking case of deceptive funeral practices. The shocking charges revealed that Legacy Cremation Services, LLC, Funeral & Cremation Group of North America, LLC, and Anthony Joseph Damiano were involved in a scheme to deceive consumers about the locations where funeral services would be provided and the ultimate costs of such services.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered an order requiring the defendants to pay $275,000 in civil penalties and to be subject to injunctive relief. The FTC Act prohibits unfair and deceptive conduct and false advertising, while the Funeral Rule prohibits providing consumers with inaccurate price information and requires certain disclosures to consumers regarding pricing for funeral-related goods.

According to the government’s complaint, the defendants serve as brokers between consumers and third-party funeral and cremation providers that offer funeral services. The defendants allegedly misled consumers about the locations where funeral services will be provided, as well as the ultimate costs of such services.

When consumers objected to these pricing practices, the defendants refused to provide consumers with the remains of their loved ones until they paid. This egregious behavior was a clear breach of consumer trust and a betrayal of the public’s faith in funeral services.

The settlement reached by the parties requires the defendants to clearly and conspicuously include on their websites the actual physical locations of the service providers and a link to their general price lists. Before accepting payment from any consumer, the defendants must provide an itemized, written statement of all prices and the total cost of services.

The government’s charges against Legacy Cremation Services, LLC, Funeral & Cremation Group of North America, LLC, and Anthony Joseph Damiano are a stark reminder that the U.S. government will not tolerate deceptive business practices, particularly when it comes to funeral services.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton said, “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting consumers from deceptive sales practices — particularly when consumers are in vulnerable circumstances, such as when a loved one passes.” Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection added, “Lying to consumers about critical information including price and location of services when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one is outrageous and illegal.”

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