HOUSTON — A woman claims a Dallas funeral home lost her deceased husband's wedding band prior to his memorial service.
Nelda Mae Stewart filed a complaint Nov. 30 in Harris County District Court against Legacy Funeral Holdings Inc., doing business as Elmwood Funeral Home, and Legacy Funeral Group LLC alleging violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Stewart sought service and burial services from Legacy for her husband Raleigh Dean Stewart who passed away on Nov. 1, 2021. She alleges that she advised the funeral director that her husband was not to be buried with his wedding band due to its sentimental value. Stewart further alleges the wedding band was on her deceased husband's finger on Nov. 8 through Nov. 11 and was then missing on the morning of his funeral service on Nov. 12.
She claims that when she and other family members reported the wedding band missing, they were told that other families also reported missing jewelry and valuables and that law enforcement had been contacted. Stewart claims Legacy's negligence for falsely representing they could safely care for her husband's body prior to his memorial service and for failing to take appropriate action to recover her late husband's wedding band or properly train their employees.
Stewart seeks monetary relief between $250,000 and $1 million, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Anthony Malley, III of The Malley Law Firm PLLC in Beaumont.
Harris County Disrict Court case number 2021-77685