A burial mix-up at a city-owned cemetery has been resolved, allowing a Lauderhill widow to be laid to rest next to her late husband after weeks of confusion involving a funeral home, city officials and two families.
City confirms resolution
“We’re pleased that the City was able to facilitate an agreement between Mr. (Albert) McWhite (of McWhite Funeral Home) and the families involved,” said Ashley Doussard, Strategic Communications Director for the City of Fort Lauderdale’s City Manager’s Office, in a statement to CBS News Miami Investigates.
“The plot is available for Mrs. Vivian George to be buried alongside her husband and Ms. Vanessa Samuel’s family made arrangements and laid her to rest at another location.”
Family expected burial beside husband
According to a 2013 contract, Vivian George of Lauderhill paid McWhite Funeral Home for two plots in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, which is owned by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Her family said she expected her children to bury her next to her husband, Ralph.
However, in 2019, McWhite ordered the remains of Vanessa Samuel to be buried in that same grave…