‘I’m afraid this is the tip of the iceberg’; Class action lawsuit filed against funeral home owner
Updated: 6:38 PM EDT May 2, 2025
People said they are shocked, deceived and angry after finding out what could have happened to their pets, and now some are taking legal action of their own. “It’s a horrific situation that, again, didn’t happen to a few people. It’s happened to thousands of people, and that’s just what we know of right now. As we get into this, we’re willing to work with the state to the extent they would like our assistance. But I’m afraid this is the tip of the iceberg in this matter, could be worse,” said Robert Peirce, of Robert Peirce & Associates.Lynch Carpenter, LLP and Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., have come together to file a class action lawsuit representing so far two of the victims each having multiple pets involved in this situation.Patrick Vereb, 70, of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is facing several charges, including theft by deception, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices.According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Vereb allegedly disposed of customers’ pets in a landfill and gave them the ashes of other unknown animals.Sunday said more than 6,500 pet owners across Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties were affected by Vereb’s actions.Attorneys in the class action said they are hopeful Vereb lawyers will work with them and are confident in the strength of their case.”Two of our clients here today, these are people that cared greatly about animals. These animals were members of their family, and they thoroughly believe their family was not treated with any type of respect. In fact, it was total disrespect for them. And it’s sickened them today,” Peirce said.As for finding those answers, Peirce said he understands that will be easier said than done.”We are not naive. We are going to attempt to make all these victims whole. But the reality is we are dealing with a criminal element who has taken advantage of hundreds and thousands of people here in western Pennsylvania,” Peirce said.Peirce added they want this lawsuit to send a message that this is not OK and hope it would inspire lawmakers to take action. For now, he said that sorry won’t cut it.”But right now, with nothing being provided, not knowing what happened to their pets, a simple ‘I’m sorry’ is not sufficient right now,” Peirce said.Peirce encourages people who believe they could be victims in this case to please reach out to their officer.
People said they are shocked, deceived and angry after finding out what could have happened to their petsand now some are taking legal action of their own.
“It’s a horrific situation that, again, didn’t happen to a few people. It’s happened to thousands of people, and that’s just what we know of right now. As we get into this, we’re willing to work with the state to the extent they would like our assistance. But I’m afraid this is the tip of the iceberg in this matter, could be worse,” said Robert Peirce, of Robert Peirce & Associates.
Lynch Carpenter, LLP and Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., have come together to file a class action lawsuit representing so far two of the victims each having multiple pets involved in this situation.
Patrick Vereb, 70, of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is facing several charges, including theft by deception, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices.
According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Vereb allegedly disposed of customers’ pets in a landfill and gave them the ashes of other unknown animals.
Sunday said more than 6,500 pet owners across Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties were affected by Vereb’s actions.
Attorneys in the class action said they are hopeful Vereb lawyers will work with them and are confident in the strength of their case.
“Two of our clients here today, these are people that cared greatly about animals. These animals were members of their family, and they thoroughly believe their family was not treated with any type of respect. In fact, it was total disrespect for them. And it’s sickened them today,” Peirce said.
As for finding those answers, Peirce said he understands that will be easier said than done.
“We are not naive. We are going to attempt to make all these victims whole. But the reality is we are dealing with a criminal element who has taken advantage of hundreds and thousands of people here in western Pennsylvania,” Peirce said.
Peirce added they want this lawsuit to send a message that this is not OK and hope it would inspire lawmakers to take action. For now, he said that sorry won’t cut it.
“But right now, with nothing being provided, not knowing what happened to their pets, a simple ‘I’m sorry’ is not sufficient right now,” Peirce said.
Peirce encourages people who believe they could be victims in this case to please reach out to their officer.
