Oklahoma City News: Oklahoma Woman Experiences Tragedy at Local Funeral Home 

Seeking Justice for Oklahoma Woman Aurora Hartley

Hartley has always wanted to be a mom and was very excited to be pregnant, but unfortunately, on November 27, 2023, that dream was crushed. Hartley, who endured the emotional trauma of delivering a stillborn baby, is now seeking justice after discovering a horrific mishandling of her baby’s remains, which compounded her grief in unimaginable ways. Adler Markoff & Associates are representing Aurora Hartley in a profoundly tragic personal injury case involving Brown’s Funeral Service and Alpha and Omega Mortuary.

The case revolves around an incident where Hartley was instructed to collect her stillborn baby’s cremated remains from Brown’s Funeral Service in Atoka, Oklahoma. Upon arrival, she was handed ashes she believed belonged to her child. 

However, she later discovered that the ashes did not belong to her baby, and her child’s remains were still inside a blanket, intact and uncremated. This shocking revelation exposed a severe breach of duty by the funeral home and mortuary, which are entrusted with handling the deceased with the utmost care and professionalism, especially in sensitive cases like infant death.

The emotional toll of this experience is profound. Hartley was not only grieving the loss of her child but also forced to face the trauma of this grave mismanagement, an ordeal no parent should ever endure. The trust placed in funeral homes and mortuaries to handle remains respectfully and ethically is vital, especially when grieving families are already vulnerable.

Hartley’s experience highlights the essence of personal injury law—seeking justice for those who have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm due to the negligence or misconduct of others. Funeral homes and mortuaries must treat the deceased and their families with dignity, compassion, and respect. When this duty is violated, as in Hartley’s case, legal recourse is often the only way to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure no other families suffer similar violations.

Adler Markoff & Associates (AMA Law), known for its expertise in handling complex personal injury cases, is leading the legal charge on behalf of Hartley. The firm’s pursuit of this case highlights its commitment to justice and advocacy for those wronged.

The lawsuit against Brown’s Funeral Service and Alpha and Omega Mortuary highlights a broader issue concerning the treatment of remains and oversight within the funeral industry. Families like Hartley’s, who are already navigating the tricky waters of grief, should never have to face further trauma due to negligence. This case will likely serve as a precedent for ensuring higher standards of care in the industry, pushing for better regulation and accountability.

“The question that John and I have is the state board wanting to step in and shut down one of these funeral homes or both of them,” said Dan Markoff, Founder of AMA Law and Aurora’s attorney – quoted in a recent Oklahoma City News, News 9 article.

For Aurora Hartley, this legal battle is not just about compensation but about finding some measure of peace and ensuring that what happened to her will not happen to another family. With the help of Adler Markoff & Associates, Hartley’s fight for justice continues.

For more information, visit the full story on News9.