Family sues Rosecrans Funeral Home after mom unexpectedly buried

PARAMOUNT, Calif. (KABC) -- A devastated family has filed a civil lawsuit against a funeral home in Paramount after they say the business botched their mother's burial.

The Barajas family is now taking legal action against the funeral home and are seeking unspecified damages.

Ubalda Aleman, 84, died on May 26. Her family made plans for a viewing and a funeral through the Rosecrans Funeral Home in Paramount.

On June 10, Evelina Barajas was bringing clothes to the funeral home for her mother to be buried in. That's when she was told a mistake had been made.

"'Ma'am, I have some bad news. There was a human error, we buried your mother by mistake,'" Evelina said the funeral home told her.

"What do you mean by mistake? What's going on?" she said. "Yes, we buried her yesterday instead of another person," the funeral home replied.

Aleman's body was exhumed and Rosecrans Funeral Home arranged for another viewing and reburial.

"I wanted a memory of my mom just being beautiful and buried," Evelina said. Now I have memories of people talking about my mom like saying, 'Ah pobresita.' No, she wasn't a pobresita. She was a strong woman. She was a strong woman and it ruined my life."

The family has filed a civil lawsuit against the Rosecrans Funeral Home.

In a written statement to Eyewitness News, the law firm representing the funeral home says, "Rosecrans Funeral Home is honored by the opportunity to serve the community and by their trust in us. Consistent with this long standing commitment by Rosecrans, we respect the privacy of our clients and therefore have no comments at this time."

A court date has been scheduled for May 2016.