A funeral home chain popular among Spanish-speaking New Yorkers has agreed to pay more than $700,000 in restitution to customers and civil penalties after the city sued it for allegedly preying on grieving families, officials said on Monday.
R.G. Ortiz Funeral Home Inc., which has eight locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, entered a legal settlement with the New York City government, according to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. The settlement mandates more than $600,000 in restitution and $100,000 in penalties for alleged violations of the city’s Consumer Protection Law.
The department filed a lawsuit in April, citing what regulators called “deceptive and opaque business practices.” It accused the funeral homes of refusing to tell customers where their loved ones’ remains were, misleading pricing practices, and failing to provide services that customers paid for.
“Few moments in our lives are as challenging as when we’re mourning the passing of a loved one, and R.G. Ortiz sought to exploit those moments of grief and prey on vulnerable New Yorkers,” DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga said in a statement. “Money will never heal the wounds R.G. Ortiz’s conduct inflicted, but we’re proud to hold this business accountable and secure justice for our neighbors.”
A representative from the business declined to comment over the phone on Monday.
The DCWP began investigating the chain after dozens of customers filed complaints with the agency starting in 2018. The department ultimately charged it with more than 80 violations. Officials said the business will now pay $104,000 to 28 customers, with another $500,000 remaining for those who have yet to come forward with claims.
Affected families can do so online or by calling 311 and saying “R.G. Ortiz,” according to the DCWP.
The chain also agreed to comply with the city’s consumer protection laws moving forward as part of the settlement.