Tragic Burial Turns into a Chaotic Scene as Pallbearers Fall into Grave in Shocking Scene

A funeral meant to honor a beloved Philadelphia man took a startling and somber turn when several pallbearers suddenly plunged into the grave during the burial, knocking the deceased’s son unconscious beneath the casket.

The shocking incident, caught on video, has left the grieving family demanding answers — and accountability.

The incident occurred Friday at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, during the burial of 66-year-old Benjamin Aviles.

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As pallbearers carried his coffin to the burial site, mourners began to scream in horror as the wooden platform surrounding the grave gave way beneath their feet.

With no time to react, several men carrying the coffin fell approximately six feet into the open grave.

Image Credit: Courtsey WPVI

The most severe consequence befell Aviles’ own son, who was knocked unconscious when the casket landed directly on top of him.

“The casket lay on top of him, and he was out like a light with his face in the mud,” Aviles’ stepdaughter, Maribelle Rodriguez, told WPVI.

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“It was just a horrible incident that happened at a bad moment.”

Though most of the pallbearers suffered only minor injuries, the emotional trauma of the incident has left a lasting impact on the family, who describe the scene as both horrifying and heartbreaking.

Rodriguez and other relatives are pointing the finger at both the cemetery and Rodriguez Funeral Home — which, despite sharing a last name, has no family connection — for failing to ensure safe conditions for such a solemn occasion.

Image Credit: Courtsey WPVI

According to Rodriguez, there were clear warning signs that the burial platform was not secure.

“The whole thing was trembling,” she said. “It was wobbly, the wood was all wet and soaked.”

The family says their calls for proper preparation and respectful treatment were unmet, and now they are seeking both an apology and reimbursement for the disrupted burial.

“There should be some reimbursement, being that the ceremony was interrupted; nothing was done properly,” Rodriguez said.

For a family already mourning the unexpected loss of a loved one to heart complications, the burial mishap has only compounded their grief.

What was supposed to be a final farewell turned into a chaotic and traumatic moment, caught on camera and now circulating widely on social media.

Image Credit: Courtsey WPVI

The video has sparked outrage and sympathy from viewers, many of whom are calling for an investigation into safety procedures at Greenmount Cemetery and the responsibilities of the funeral home involved.

As the Aviles family continues to process their loss, they hope their painful experience can serve as a wake-up call for greater accountability in funeral services.

“We just wanted to say goodbye with dignity,” Rodriguez said. “Instead, we left with more pain than we came with.”

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