1 week Ago By Denette Wilford
A Philadelphia family was horrified when a funeral for their loved one turned into an even bigger nightmare. Benjamin Aviles Jr. died suddenly at the age of 61 on March 21 after complications related to heart issues.
His funeral took place Friday at Greenmount Cemetery, where mourners gathered to lay the man to rest. Things went from sad to worse, however, when the platform above the burial site sent pallbearers carrying Aviles’ casket into the hole, which was captured on video and shared with WPVI . The pallbearers suffered injuries to their legs, hands and back, though Aviles’ son suffered the worst of it.
Funeral home director accused of fatally shooting pallbearer at child's burial'THIS HERE IS WRONG': Man proposes to girlfriend during her father’s funeralPallbearers run away after breaking man's casket in front of grieving family “The casket lay on top of him and he was out like a light with his face in the mud,” Aviles’ stepdaughter Maribelle Rodriguez told the outlet. The family noted that the platform was in poor condition and blamed the cemetery and funeral home for the shocking incident. “The whole thing was trembling.
It was wobbly, the wood was all wet and soaked,” Rodriguez said. “I think they should apologize. There should be some reimbursement, being that the ceremony was interrupted; nothing was done properly.
” None of the injuries were serious and all of the pallbearers were expected to be OK, the outlet reported. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Aviles was born in Lares, Puerto Rico, before moving to North Philadelphia. The man known as Benji “was a devoted husband, a loving father to his son, a caring father figure to his stepdaughters, a treasured grandfather to his four grandchildren and a dear friend to many,” according to his obituary .
“He was a man of great integrity, strength and endless love for his family. His kindness, generosity and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew him. “Though his absence leaves a void, his memory will forever live on in the stories we share and the love he gave so freely.
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