Burial Tragedy: Pallbearers Fall Into Grave During Funeral in Philadelphia, Caught on Video

Philadelphia – A tragic and unsettling moment unfolded at a burial service in North Philadelphia when pallbearers carrying a casket fell into the grave after the platform above the burial site gave way beneath them.

The incident occurred as family and friends gathered to lay 53-year-old Benjamin Aviles to rest. Just as the pallbearers were lowering the casket, the wooden platform collapsed, causing several men — including Aviles’ son — to fall into the open grave along with the casket.

Video footage captured the shocking moment, and family members described the scene as traumatic and deeply distressing.

“It was a horrible incident at a time when we were already grieving,” said Maribelle Rodriguez, Aviles’ stepdaughter. She added that the pallbearers sustained various injuries, primarily to their legs, backs, and hands. Her stepbrother, Aviles’ son, suffered the worst, being pinned under the casket and briefly losing consciousness.

“The casket fell on top of him. His face was in the mud. It was terrifying,” Rodriguez said.

The family is holding Greenmount Cemetery and Rodriguez Funeral Home responsible for what they believe were unsafe and poorly maintained burial conditions. Despite sharing a surname, the funeral home is not affiliated with the family.

Rodriguez described the platform as unstable and visibly deteriorated. “Everything was soaked and wobbly. You could tell it wasn’t safe,” she said.

When contacted, both the cemetery and the funeral home declined to comment on the incident. As of Monday, remnants of broken boards were still visible at the burial site.

Rodriguez called for accountability, suggesting that both an apology and compensation were in order due to the emotional and physical toll caused by the mishap.

Although the injuries sustained are not considered life-threatening, the emotional impact on the grieving family remains heavy.

“It was supposed to be a peaceful farewell,” Rodriguez said. “Instead, it turned into a nightmare.”