California Funeral Home Faces Lawsuit After Mistakenly Giving Family Their Son's Brain Instead of Clothing

A California funeral home is facing legal action after a shocking mistake involving a deceased man's remains.

The family of Alexander Pinon, a 27-year-old who passed away on May 19, 2025, has filed a lawsuit against Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel in San Jose, California. According to the complaint, the funeral home mistakenly gave Alexander's father his son's brain instead of returning his clothing as requested.

Samer Habbas, the attorney representing the Pinon family, explained to ABC7 News that the family had paid over $10,000 for memorial services, including preparing Alexander's body for a dignified burial. "They wanted to do what's right for their son, and they wanted to have a dignified farewell for him," Habbas stated.

The distressing incident occurred when funeral director Anita Singh handed Alexander's father a bag that he believed contained his son's clothes. Unaware of its actual contents, he took the bag home and placed it in his washing machine.

Only after discovering the horrifying contents did Alexander's father realize what had happened. He immediately returned the brain to the funeral home, where Singh reportedly took the bag without explanation or apology, simply stating, "I'll take that from here."

The lawsuit further alleges that Singh subsequently mishandled the brain, placing it in a box that was left in the funeral home's courtyard for approximately two and a half months. Eventually, another employee discovered the box after noticing the strong odor of decomposition.

According to Habbas, a whistleblower from the funeral home later confirmed that the brain belonged to Alexander. "Errors can happen. But what cannot happen, and what should not happen, is that you cover up your errors," the attorney emphasized.

When approached by ABC7 News reporters at her residence and questioned about giving a father his son's brain instead of clothing, Singh reportedly did not provide any response.

The legal proceedings continue as the Pinon family works to have Alexander's brain reunited with the rest of his remains.