NJ Funeral Home Mixes Up Body Of Loved One, Report Says

A New Jersey family says a funeral home recently mixed up the body of a loved one, according to a report.

When her family went to see Doris Chapman after she died, they didn't see Doris, according to News12, and they say the Bragg Funeral Home in Paterson didn’t believe them.

"The family is very devastated. The family is very traumatized. Why? Because we knew that that lady that was sitting before our eyes in the coffin the night before was not our grandmother,” Geralyn McNeal, one of Doris's grandchildren, told News12.

Bragg Funeral Home declined to comment to Patch on the matter.

The family says the person in the coffin was wearing Chapman’s clothing, but it wasn't her, according to News12. Chapman’s body was in the casket the next day for the service but they still want answers to how this happened and an apology.

Doris Chapman, who was born on December 8, 1945 in Paterson, was a longtime Paterson resident and enjoyed her career as a nutritionist and fitness instructor for many years, according to her obituary

"Everyone who knew Doris can attest to the fact that she has always been a loving, giving, warm and caring person," her obituary said. "She loved being around family and friends, having many spirited conversations, watching the news, soap operas and singing."

Chapman passed away peacefully on Oct. 6 at home.