Pittsburgh Funeral Director Under Investigation for Mishandling Pet Remains

A director of a funeral home in Pittsburgh is facing serious allegations after being accused of discarding the remains of numerous pets and presenting their owners with ashes that did not belong to their beloved animals.

Allegations of Deception and Mismanagement

Patrick Vereb, the 70-year-old man behind Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is accused of defrauding over $650,000 from more than 6,500 clients who entrusted him with the final arrangements for their pets between 2021 and 2024, as stated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

According to investigators, Vereb facilitated these services through around 20 veterinary practices, the promise being individual cremations for these pets. However, in reality, he is said to have disposed of the animals in landfills and distributed random ashes to the clients.

As noted by someone who interned at the funeral home, there were early warning signs. Animal remains were reportedly stored inappropriately in plastic bags atop refrigerators, and there were irregularities in the maintenance of records.

Concerns from Pet Owners and Legal Proceedings

One client mentioned receiving a plastic bag of ashes without a cremation certificate, leading to doubts about the authenticity of the remains. These actions were described as deeply unsettling, a sentiment echoed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General, who called the case a source of immense pain for many families in the region.

"Our animals are part of our family, and this individual's actions have violated the trust put in him by pet owners seeking respectful treatment for their pets," commented the Attorney General, praising the investigative team for their thorough examination of extensive documentation to reveal this ongoing pattern of fraudulent activity.

Assisting Victims

The State has urged any potential victims between 2021 and 2024 to complete an online form. These victims, found through various veterinary clinics and direct services, include residents from Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

Impacted facilities and businesses potentially involved in the scandal include Affordable Care, All About Pets, Always Compassionate, and several animal hospitals throughout the region.

Vereb is confronted with several felony charges encompassing deceptive business practices, theft by deception, and possession of stolen property. Following his surrender, he attended a court hearing and was subsequently released without bail.