Queens, New York — A grieving widow has filed a lawsuit against a Long Island cemetery after an alleged equipment failure during her husband’s burial resulted in a traumatic scene that she says caused lasting emotional and psychological harm.
According to a civil complaint filed on June 2, 82-year-old Zinule Nisha Ghanni is seeking damages from Washington Memorial Park following an incident that allegedly occurred while cemetery employees were lowering her late husband’s casket into the ground.
The lawsuit claims the burial ceremony took a devastating turn when the coffin was dropped, causing the deceased’s remains to become exposed in front of family members and loved ones gathered at the graveside.
Lawsuit Alleges Equipment Failure During Burial
The complaint centers on the burial of Abdulla Ghanni, 88, whose family arranged for his interment at Washington Memorial Park following his death in May 2025.
According to court filings, the cemetery allegedly failed to properly maintain the equipment used to lower the casket into the grave.
The lawsuit claims the cemetery ignored warning signs of mechanical problems and failed to follow proper procedures during the burial process.
As a result, the complaint alleges that the casket malfunctioned while being lowered, leading to the body becoming exposed.
The filing accuses the cemetery of negligence, recklessness, and carelessness in handling the burial.
“[A]s a result of… failing to follow their own protocols, rules, policies and procedures in lowering Decedent Abdulla Ghanni’s body into the ground, [his] body was caused to fall out of its casket and be exposed,” the complaint states.
Widow Claims Severe Emotional Distress
The lawsuit argues that the incident caused significant emotional and psychological suffering for Zinule Ghanni.
According to the complaint, she has experienced loss of sleep, loss of appetite, emotional distress, diminished enjoyment of life, and ongoing mental anguish since witnessing the burial mishap.
The filing also includes a claim for loss of sepulcher, a legal doctrine that protects a family member’s right to control the burial and disposition of a loved one’s remains.
Attorneys argue that the cemetery interfered with Ghanni’s ability to bury her husband in accordance with her wishes and beliefs.
The lawsuit states that the family was deprived of the comfort and closure normally associated with a respectful burial ceremony.
Cemetery Accused of Multiple Failures
In addition to allegations involving faulty equipment, the complaint claims the cemetery failed to adequately train, supervise, and manage employees responsible for handling the burial.
The filing further alleges that Washington Memorial Park did not take reasonable precautions to prevent such an incident from occurring.
According to the lawsuit, the event would not have happened if proper procedures had been followed.
The complaint also claims the cemetery violated provisions of New York Public Health Law Article 42, which outlines standards related to the handling and disposition of human remains.
As of this week, a spokesperson for Washington Memorial Park had not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
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Similar Funeral Industry Lawsuits Have Emerged in Recent Years
The case is the latest in a series of lawsuits involving alleged mistakes by funeral homes, cemeteries, and other end-of-life service providers.
In recent years, families across the country have filed legal claims involving mishandled remains, burial errors, and mistaken declarations of death.
While the circumstances differ from case to case, many of the lawsuits share a common theme: families claiming that negligence disrupted the grieving process and caused lasting emotional trauma.
For Zinule Ghanni, the lawsuit seeks compensation for the suffering she says resulted from what should have been a solemn and respectful farewell to her husband.
The amount of damages sought has not yet been determined and will be decided through future court proceedings if the case moves forward.
What are your thoughts on this case? Should cemeteries and funeral service providers face stricter oversight to prevent incidents like this from happening? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
