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One of the most popular funeral homes in New York City will have to defend their name in court. Ortiz Funeral Home is being accused of using predatory tactics on their clients.
The Gothamist is reporting that the eight location chain is accused of taking advantage of individuals who just lost a loved one. On Monday, April 29 the New York City Department Of Consumer And Worker Protection filed a lawsuit claiming that the company regularly uses “deceptive and opaque business practices intended to keep pricing information and options obscured, in an effort to charge these consumers seemingly-random amounts for its services, often resulting in price swings of thousands of dollars for the same service.”
The DCWP states that since 2019 over 48 consumers have have filed claims to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission about Ortiz Funeral Home. Some of the umbrages include failing to prepare the body as agreed to, deceptive pricing tactics when it comes to their caskets and even refusing to reveal where the remains are located after multiple requests from the family. Additionally, some families had to wait upwards of three weeks before receiving the cremated ashes.
DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga expressed that her team is taking the matter very seriously. “I can’t even imagine, already being in such a painful time and then not knowing where your loved ones’ remains are,” Mayuga said in a statement. “There’s a number of violations that they committed, and so we’re seeking restitution for consumers and really urging anyone who has experienced similar deceptive practices by R.G. Ortiz to reach out to us immediately.”
Representatives from Ortiz Funeral Home have yet to formally respond to the matter.
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André 3000’s new instrument is opening new doors for him. He has revealed that he was asked to perform at Virgil Abloh’s funeral but he respectfully declined.
As previously reported the Outkast member is on the verge of returning to the music industry but his way. This week it was announced that he will be releasing his new album New Blue Sun. He will not be rapping on the album but playing his flute. Over the last couple of years the “So Fresh, So Clean” MC has put the microphone down and picked up the aerophone. During an interview with NPR he discussed his musical transformation and more.
During the conversation he talked about being invited to perform at Virgil Abloh’s funeral to which he said no. He explained his decision saying “his family asked would I play at the funeral and I denied it, but only because I felt like I would be a distraction,” He added “I don’t know, I just felt like it would have taken away from the moment and I only knew Virgil through texts and a few conversations. So I couldn’t pretend like I knew him that well.”
The Dungeon Family member went on to say “when my mom passed, I had this urge to play. But I wasn’t even playing flute back then. I think I was more on guitar at that point. And I just didn’t” André 3000 revealed. “I don’t think I could go through with it. But yeah, there’s something about it … playing at funerals. I think New Orleans has it best. Like, I think the way we do funerals, I think it’s really antiquated and sad. I think we need to party more.”
New Blue Sun will be released Friday, November 17. You can hear the NPR interview here.
Sinead O’Connor was laid to rest in her home country of Ireland on August 8, and on Tuesday (Aug. 29), the late “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer’s family shared a note of acknowledgement in The Irish Times‘ Family Notices section, thanking fans and everyone who was involved in the funeral service. Explore Explore See latest […]
Family and friends gathered at the funeral over the weekend for Houston rapper Big Pokey, an original member of the pioneering group Screwed Up Click.
Pokey, who was born Milton Powell, died June 18 at the age of 48 after collapsing at a performance in Beaumont, located east of Houston. Those attending his service Saturday at Fountain of Praise church in Houston included Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and rappers Paul Wall, Trae Tha Truth and Slim Thug, the Houston Chronicle reported.
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Among the others in attendance according to the paper were Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Derrick “D Reck” Dixon, CEO of Wreckshop Records, as well as rappers Lil O, Yungstar, DJ XO, Killa Kyleon and Lil’ Keke.
Pokey was known for Texas and Gulf Coast hits such as “Ball N’ Parlay,” “Who Dat Talking Down,” and a verse on DJ Screw’s nearly 36-minute freestyle known as “June 27th.” He was also featured on Megan Thee Stallion’s 2022 “Southside Royalty Freestyle.”
Nationally, Pokey was most known for a featured appearance on Wall’s 2005 debut hit song, “Sittin’ Sidewayz.” The chorus was sampled from Pokey’s verse on “June 27th.”
Pokey, who grew up in Houston, began garnering local fame in the late 1990s as an original member of the Screwed Up Click, a friend group-turned-rap collective led by DJ Screw, who developed a slowed, pitched-down music style known as “chopped and screwed,” which become synonymous with Houston.
Pokey released his debut album, Hardest Pit in the Litter in 1999 and Da Game 2000 the following year.
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DC Young Fly has lost the love of his life. He shared a very touching eulogy at the funeral for Jacky Oh.
As spotted on TMZ, the comedian and podcast host took the stage at Jacky Oh’s formal going home service in Atlanta. In leaked footage from the invite only event, DC Young Fly spoke to the crowd for about 10 minutes in what seemed to be an unscripted but passionate message. “She had a beautiful soul. She was a great mother. She made sure our kids were loving each other. They praying. You’re in heaven, your spirit is with us. You’re still here,” he said.
While he seemed to holding up well for the most part, he did make it clear his family will need all the love they can get to get through this very tough time. “We have an amazing support system. We got a beautiful support system and they came out,” he added. “Love you, everybody in here keep God first. Most importantly what this entire family needs is prayer. Pray for us man. Send good energy our way. This ain’t hard but it sure ain’t easy.”
After the ceremony, he went to social media to share more. “You are the GREATEST MOTHER I KNOW your soul was beautiful Yu always wanted the best for others and I admired how our family love each other!!!” he wrote. “Never had to worry about our kids loving each other cause you were on top of Dat!!! You kno we GOD fearing and we are grounded by the spirit”.
You can see DC Young Fly’s full speech below. At this time, Jacky Oh’s cause of death is still unclear.
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During the memorial service for Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland over the weekend, Riley Keough’s husband revealed that Presley had become a first-time grandmother last year. According to People magazine, Ben Smith-Petersen — who is married to Presley’s eldest child, 33-year-old actress Keough — revealed during the ceremony at Elvis’ Memphis estate Graceland for the first time in public that the couple are parents.
“I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters. Thank you for giving me strength, my heart, my empathy, my courage, my sense of humor, my manners, my temper, my wildness, my tenacity,” Smith-Petersen said while reading a tribute to Presley on behalf of Keough, who was seated in the front row. “I’m a product of your heart, my sisters are a product of your heart, my brother is a product of your heart.”
The magazine reported that Smith-Peteresen did not give any further details on when the couple’s daughter was born or her name; People said a rep for Keough confirmed the couple’s baby girl was born in 2022.
Lisa Marie Presley died on Jan. 12 at age 54 after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering from a possible cardiac arrest. She was also honored at the public memorial service on Sunday by reclusive Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose, who shared some heartfelt words about his good friend before playing a solo version of the GNR classic “November Rain.”
“With Lisa’s passing, I knew if I was invited I needed to come to these ceremonies,” Rose began his emotional statement, reading from a cell phone. “I hadn’t planned on speaking, and when I was put on the spot, I really didn’t know what to say. I was tongue-tied and nervous, and I didn’t really know what I said. But I, as I’m sure many of you, are still in shock, as I feel I will continue to be for quite some time. I never in a million years imagined being here, singing under these circumstances.”
In addition to Rose, the memorial service also included musical tributes from Billy Corgan, who performed an acoustic rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins song “To Sheila,” and Alanis Morissette, who sang her 2017 song about mental health “Rest.” Other speakers included Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla Presley; Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York; music industry veteran Jerry Schilling; and Smith-Petersen; among others.
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A man associated with Big Scarr is claiming Gucci Mane did not pay for his funeral but the Trap God has come with receipts.
As spotted on XXL Magazine, Mr. Zone 6’s reputation came under heavy criticism over his late artist’s home going ceremony. The young talent accidently died from an alleged overdose Dec. 22, 2022. Immediately after his untimely passing, Gucci offered to pay for his funeral services in an effort to offer financial relief to his family. Last week, Quezz Ruthless, Scarr’s little brother, took to social media to allege that Gucci didn’t come through as he promised.
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“Them people called your phone to see if you was gon’ pay for the funeral, you blocked them,” Quezz claimed. “That’s not real. On God, that’s not real. That ain’t straight…You trying to act all real. You posted Scarr, talking ’bout some ‘Love Live him.’ You aint’ do nothing.”
Ruthless also alleges that Gucci asked for the 1017 chains he gifted Scarr back. “You ain’t getting them chains back,” Quezz continued. “You can’t get them chains. It’s no way you getting them chains. It ain’t no way that’s happening. Come on, now. You tripping, cuz. Thought we was just gon’ let that go? No. It’s over with. You played. And we don’t need your money to pay for his funeral. He was gon’ get buried either way. It’s just the point that you supposed to be his CEO. And you supposed to be this, this and that, and you done lied like that. How do you even feel real with yourself?”
But it seems that Gucci did pay $20,000 for Scarr’s funeral. Shortly after Quezz’s rant Keyshia Ka’oir shared receipts of two $10,000 payments to the funeral home saying “PAYMENT DIRECTLY TO FUNERAL HOME! Leave my husband alone.” She also alleges that she and Gucci Mane sent flowers and did not receive a thank you from Scarr’s family. Scarr’s sister, Alexandra Woods, saw the receipts and downplayed their efforts saying “That 10K ain’t help with nothing but obituaries and flowers, boo,” on Instagram Live.
Gucci Mane has yet to formally respond.
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