Tennessee widow sues funeral home over returned belongings

A Tennessee woman has filed a $2.2 million lawsuit against Weaver Funeral Home & Cremation Services following a disturbing incident involving her late husband’s belongings.

Sheila McGilvrey of Blountville alleges that after her husband, Richard Pretzeus, died by suicide, the funeral home returned his clothing in a manner that caused severe emotional distress. McGilvrey claims that upon opening a sack labeled ‘clothing,’ she discovered the items were contained within a plastic bag covered in what appeared to be chunks of brain matter and other sticky bodily fluids.

The lawsuit asserts that the incident has caused the widow and her son significant suffering. While McGilvrey sought guidance from various agencies, including the National Association of Medical Examiners, the funeral home has declined to comment on the matter.