Woman wants funeral refund

A Corporate Area woman is yet to bury her brother after paying nearly $400,000 to a man who purported to be a funeral service director.

The revelation was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday, where the accused, Keron Watson, was arraigned for obtaining money by means of false pretence. Prosecutors shared that the complainant paid more than $375,000 to Watson for the undertaking of a funeral service and burial. It was not shared in court when her brother died.

It is alleged that on the day of the planned burial, Watson informed the complainant that it would have to be postponed until September 15.

The burial is yet to take place, and the complainant has tried, unsuccessfully, to get a refund.

"Lord of Mercy. This lady wants her money, she needs to get this done. This is rough, these things traumatise people you know, when you have your dead and caah bury them," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque remarked.

The court heard that Watson is the manager of K&J Funeral Services, a business venture that was started by his mother in 2021. The complainant said she found the company through a Google search.

"K&J? That sounds like a restaurant," Cole-Montaque expressed, before members of the courtroom burst into laughter. The attorney-at-law representing Watson submitted that her client was not guilty.

"There is no denying that monies were exchanged. He had been operating as the manager for over two years. It appears to be a breach of contract issue more than a receiving under false pretences matter," the attorney said.

Cole-Montaque offered Watson $350,000 bail with at least two sureties. He was ordered not to have contact or communication with the complainant and to surrender his travel documents. A stop order was imposed and he was made the subject of a fingerprint order.

The matter was adjourned until October 17, when it is expected that Watson is to present the minimum of $200,000 for restitution.