The civil suit is the latest action taken against the funeral home in connection with mishandling of Clifton resident Fred Mendoza’s remains, which were placed in Morris-David’s care in August 2007.
Scottsdale attorney Greg Davis is representing Matt Mendoza in the suit. Davis said Monday that his client was damaged emotionally and financially by Morris-David’s and its owners, Carl and Melissa Morris. He said his client will likely not gain financially from the lawsuit.
Carl and Melissa Morris declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. They also declined to comment on the consent agreement and revocation/probation order issued by the Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers in connection with the case.
The state board ordered the revocation of the funeral home’s license; however, the revocation was stayed until Feb. 1, 2009, to allow the Morrises time to finalize the affairs of the funeral home.
“As of Feb. 1, that business will no longer exist,” Rudy Thomas, executive director of the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, said Monday.
Carl denied Monday that the funeral home will close by Feb. 1.
Mendoza filed a complaint with the state board after he was not permitted to see his father prior to cremation and did not receive his father’s personal effects. Mendoza also alleged that the death certificate was forged.
“They had no right taking stuff from my father. They had no right to keep me from my father,” Mendoza said.
According to the consent order from the state board, the Morrises admitted to the board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, including that the funeral home staff was not responsive to Mendoza’s requirements or needs concerning funeral arrangements; did not allow Mendoza to see his father’s body before cremation; failed to deal with consumers in an “honest and truthful manner”; did not document the inventory of the deceased’s property; failed to provide a price list and consumer information; and issued a death certificate with multiple errors. The medical examiner denies the signatures are his.
Anyone who purchased pre-arranged burial insurance through Morris-David’s will be served by another funeral home or by the state board. For more information contact the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers at 602-542-3095.



Comments
53 comment(s)ananomys wrote on Jan 11, 2009 2:25 PM:
dan wrote on Dec 28, 2008 7:32 PM:
saddened wrote on Dec 27, 2008 7:47 PM:
There is a higher judge that will judge us all at the time of death, don't cast stones we all need to step back and look at our own lives before judging eachother. May God Bless and soften your heart. "
Morgan wrote on Dec 26, 2008 3:06 PM:
saddened wrote on Dec 25, 2008 4:27 PM:
You two are wonderful people and are appreciated by many. You both have taken care of my grandmother, nephew, and my Father. May God Bless You Both in all you continue to do. Where God may close one door he will continuing opening new ones. "
lets hope wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:13 PM:
To the truth wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:09 PM:
To True Facts wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:08 PM:
My Opinion wrote on Dec 23, 2008 10:13 AM:
you would think wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:56 AM:
To the Truth wrote on Dec 22, 2008 5:37 PM:
True facts wrote on Dec 22, 2008 1:32 PM:
the truth wrote on Dec 22, 2008 9:09 AM:
Whitney wrote on Dec 19, 2008 3:26 PM:
ToHope wrote on Dec 19, 2008 8:21 AM:
lets hope wrote on Dec 18, 2008 3:21 PM:
To lets hope wrote on Dec 18, 2008 2:45 PM:
Waiting wrote on Dec 18, 2008 1:23 PM:
I'm sure he didn't mind. "
lets hope wrote on Dec 17, 2008 1:57 PM:
To True Facts wrote on Dec 17, 2008 12:51 PM:
Why wrote on Dec 17, 2008 12:46 PM:
True Facts wrote on Dec 17, 2008 7:50 AM:
bpfitz wrote on Dec 15, 2008 7:42 PM:
Just Curious wrote on Dec 15, 2008 5:08 PM:
Michael wrote on Dec 15, 2008 1:42 PM:
For whatever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me. Matthew 25:40 "
Holly wrote on Dec 14, 2008 2:07 PM:
Alex wrote on Dec 13, 2008 5:17 PM:
swanky wrote on Dec 12, 2008 2:56 PM:
Hope is coming wrote on Dec 12, 2008 10:06 AM:
"Out with the old and in with the new!!" "
Ashley wrote on Dec 11, 2008 8:19 PM:
Steve wrote on Dec 11, 2008 12:36 PM:
Outraged wrote on Dec 10, 2008 8:03 PM:
Vivian wrote on Dec 10, 2008 10:29 AM:
Echo Peterson wrote on Dec 9, 2008 10:06 PM:
Echo Peterson wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:54 PM:
a family in mourning. Not to mention the realization of taking there Life given right to say good-bye. How dear they call themselves Christians , I being a baptized Christian myself know that what they have done is completely immoral . How is this family supposed to get through their mourning process...?" What if it was your Father>>> "
Echo Peterson wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:47 PM:
a family in mourning. Not to mention the realization of taking there God given right to say good-bye. How dear they call themselves Christians , I being a baptized Christian myself know that what they have done is completely immoral . How is this family supposed to get through their mourning process...?" What if it was your Father>>> "
chante wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:30 PM:
We have been here for them during this time of mourning and hardship. I personally believe the people responsible for this should face criminal charges. Theft, forgery and contempt just to name a few. Last time I heard forgery is a felony. I could not even imagine not being able to say goodbye to a loved one!!! How devastating! How immoral! "
andy wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:03 PM:
Adam wrote on Dec 9, 2008 8:17 PM:
This seems deeply wrong to treat people in such a way. "
Virginia Morales Smith wrote on Dec 9, 2008 6:37 PM:
FED UP wrote on Dec 5, 2008 5:11 PM:
to deb wrote on Dec 5, 2008 9:25 AM:
update wrote on Dec 5, 2008 9:15 AM:
Deb wrote on Dec 5, 2008 5:48 AM:
Arizonan wrote on Dec 4, 2008 10:53 PM:
Perhaps, criminal charges need to be filed such as Theft, Conspiracy, or Extortion to name a few. After all, they provided dishonest service & stole this gentleman's money. "
Deja vu wrote on Dec 4, 2008 6:18 PM:
I wonder how many others have had problems? "
Calen dar wrote on Dec 4, 2008 4:58 PM:
when wrote on Dec 4, 2008 4:36 PM:
Non-Sequitur wrote on Dec 4, 2008 11:56 AM:
Louise wrote on Dec 4, 2008 8:36 AM:
jodis wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:20 PM:
Really wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:56 AM:
smalltowngirl wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:41 AM:
Shame on you Morris funeral home! "