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A heartbroken family has sued an Ohio funeral home, claiming it accidentally cremated their loved one.
Nancy Anders died in May 2025 at the age of 83. She had detailed plans to be buried in the same casket as her husband of more than 60 years, John Anders, to spend eternity together, according to the lawsuit reported on by several news outlets.
But that allegedly didn’t happen, as the lawsuit filed by Nancy’s children on Monday against Tidd Funeral Home in Hilliard claimed she was cremated against her wishes.
“Her requests were meticulously detailed as to the placement of their bodies, her hands, and the clothes to be worn,” the lawsuit read. “Cremation was never an option as it was expressly contrary to her personal beliefs.”
Nancy had written plans to be buried with John, who died in 2023, in Union Cemetery in Columbus. But about 10 days after she died, her family was allegedly told by the funeral home that she had been cremated.
The Independent has reached out to the funeral home for comment.
The lawsuit said the funeral home described the situation as an accident, with an employee allegedly saying “mom was cremated,” according to news outlet WCMH.
Anders’ cremation “was so reckless, extreme and outrageous as to go beyond the bounds of decency and would be considered utterly intolerable in a civilized society,” the lawsuit read.
The funeral home has been accused of lacking proper protocols to ensure that a body being cremated is correctly identified and that the deceased’s wishes regarding cremation are verified, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
The lawsuit also claims negligence, infliction of emotional distress, mishandling of a body and breach of contract, per WCMH.
Anders’ children have suffered from physical illness, emotional trauma and “severe mental anguish knowing that their mother’s final wishes were ignored,” according to the lawsuit. They are reportedly seeking more than $25,000.
Anders had five children and 12 grandchildren. She was also waiting to welcome three great-grandchildren who were not yet born at the time of her death.
“She is remembered for her enthusiastic embrace of life, her welcoming home, her old-fashioned heart, her comforting soul, her detailed stories, and her unyielding love of her family and friends,” Anders’ obituary read.
