SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The nation’s largest funeral service provider deceived customers in the Bay Area through false advertising and prices, according to the district attorneys of Alameda County, Marin County, and San Francisco.
The funeral company, Service Corporation International, reached a $23 million settlement with the district attorneys and California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week. The proposed settlement provides full restitution to consumers, comprehensive injunctive relief, and $23 million in civil penalties, according to Bonta’s office.
“The pre-need cremation industry has historically been prone to abuse, which is why California law provides robust protection to consumers, many of whom are elderly,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Funeral services sold by SCI’s companies, Neptune and Trident, allegedly violated the Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and False Advertising Law (FAL).
Pre-need cremation packages are a way for people to pay for their cremation services while they are still alive. California law requires that all money paid for pre-need funeral arrangements be placed in trust until either the beneficiary dies and services are provided, or the consumer cancels the contract, at which point the consumer is entitled to a full refund.