Melfi v. Mount Sinai Hosp. (Full Text)

APR 28 2009

SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE D IV IS ION , F IRST DEPARTMENT,

R i ch a rd T . An d r i a s ,
D av id B . S ax e
John W. Sw e eny , J r .
J am e s M. C a t t e r s on
K a r l a Mo skow i t z ,

J .P .

J J .

478 7 -4788
Ind ex 122974 / 02

___x

J o hn M e l f i , e t c . ,
P l a i n t i f f -R e sp o nd e n t ,

– ag a in s t –

M o un t S in a i Ho sp i t a l , e t a l . ,
D e f end an t s -A pp e l l a n t s ,

New Yo rk C i ty Po l i c e D ep a r tm en t , e t a l . ,
D e f end an t s .
x
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
M t . S in a i Ho sp i t a l and New Y o rk C i t y H e a l th and Ho s p i t a l s
Co rpo r a t ion ap p e a l
f rom an o rd e r o f th e
Sup r em e Cou r t , New Y o rk Coun ty ( Jo a n B .
C a r e y , J . ) , en t e r ed May 5 , 2008 , wh i ch ,
to
th e e x t en t a pp e a l ed f r om a s l im i t ed by th e
b r i e f s , d en i e d th e mo t ion by d e f end an t H e a l th
and Ho sp i t a l s C o r po r a t i on to d i sm i s s th e
c au s e o f a c t ion fo r lo s s o f s epu l ch e r and th e
mo t ion by d e f e nd an t M ou n t S in a i to s t r ik e
p l a i n t i f f ‘ s d em and s fo r pun i t iv e d am ag e s
r e l a t e d to th e c l a im s o f m a lp r a c t i c e and lo s s
o f s epu l c h e r , and g r an t ed p l a in t i f f ‘ s mo t i on

to am end th e comp l a in t to p l e ad a c au s e o f
a c t io n fo r g ro s s n eg l ig en c e and r e l a t e d
pun i t iv e d am ag e s ag a in s t Moun t S in a i in
conn e c t ion w i t h th e m a lp r a c t i c e c l a im .

A a ron son , R app apo r t , F e in s t e in & D eu t s ch ,
LLP , New Yo rk (S t e v en C . M and e l l o f coun s e l ) ,
fo r Mo un t S in a i Ho sp i t a l , ap p e l l an t .

M i ch a e l A . C a r do zo , Co rp o r a t io n C ou n s e l , New
Y o r k (V i c to r i a S c a l z o and S t e ph en J . M cG r a th
o f co u n s e l ) ,
fo r New Y o rk C i ty H e a l th and
Ho sp i t a l s Co rpo r a t ion , ap p e l l an t .

T a co p in a , S e i g e l & Tu r ano , P .C . , New Y o rk
(B r i an K ing o f c oun s e l ) ,
fo r r e spond e n t .

2

CATTERSON, J .

Th e p l a in t i f f , John M e l f i , b r ing s th i s a c t ion fo r ,

in t e r

a l i a ,

lo s s o f s ep u l ch e r a f t e r h i s b ro th e r ‘ s body w a s s en t to a

c ommun i ty co l l eg e f o r emb a lm ing p r a c t i c e and th en fo r bu r i a l

in a

m a s s g r av e in P o t t e r ‘ s F i e ld .

On O c tob e r 28 , 200 1 , p l ayw r igh t L eon a rd M e l f i , b e s t known

fo r h i s on e – a c t p l a y B i rdb a th and con t r ib u t i on s to th e B ro adw ay

h i t Oh! C a l cu t t a ! , co l l ap s ed in h i s room a t

th e N a r r a g a n s e t t

Ho t e l ,

a w e l f a r e ho t e l , on th e upp e r w e s t s id e o f M anh a t t an .

Th e

ambu l an c e c a l l r epo r t p r e p a r ed b y EMS p e r so nn e l con t a in ed a

p r e l im in a ry d i agn o s i s o f r e sp i r a to ry d i s t r e s s , and id en t i fy in g

in fo rm a t ion in c lud ing M r . M e l f i ‘ s add r e s s , d a t e o f b i r th , and

so c i a l s e c u r i ty numb e r .

Th e r epo r t a l so l i s t e d h i s f r i end Jo ann

T e d e s co a s n ex t o f k in tog e th e r w i th h e r ph on e numb e r . 1

M r . M e l f i w a s f i t t ed w i th an oxyg en m a sk and t ak en by

ambu l an c e to M t . S in a i Ho sp i t a l wh e r e a s t a f f m emb e r in th e

em e r g en cy room p r ep a r ed a p a t i en t r eg i s t r a t ion fo rm con t a in ing

ITh e r e c o r d r e f l e c t s th a t M r . M e l f i w a s unm a r r i ed and h ad no
ch i ld r en , and th a t h i s on ly su rv iv ing f am i ly m emb e r s w e r e a
b ro th e r (p l a in t i f f ) w ho r e s id ed up s t a t e , and a n i e c e who l iv ed
ou t s id e o f th e C i ty . A t
th e 50 -h h e a r ing i n th i s a c t io n , Jo h n
M e l f i t e s t i f i ed th a t a l thou gh h e and h i s b r o t h e r w e r e c l o s e ,
t h e r e w e r e p e r iod s wh en t h e r e w a s no con t a c t b e tw e en th em .
Th e s e
o c cu r r ed w h en L eon a rd M e l f i ch e ck ed h im s e l f in to r eh ab c l in i c s
w i thou t t e l l ing anyon e , o r w h e n h e v i s i t ed w r i t e r f r i e nd s in
C a l i fo rn i a .

3

th e id en t i fy ing in fo rm a t ion and th e con t a c t

in f o rm a t io n fo r Jo ann

T ed e s co . A t r i ag e a s s e s sm en t w a s p e r fo rm ed in th e em e rg en cy ro om

bu t

th e r e co rd do e s no t show th a t any t r e a tm e n t w a s adm in i s t e r ed .

M r . M e l f i w a s n ex t a s s e s s ed b y a t t end ing phy s i c i an Jo h n Jo s eph

B run s , J r . , M .D . , who m ad e a p r e l im i n a r y d i agno s i s o f cong e s t iv e

h e a r t f a i lu r e and a t r i a l f ib r i l l a t ion .

Sub s e qu e n t ly , a t t r i a l , D r . B run s t e s t i f i ed to adm in i s t e r ing

a d r ug to r edu c e th e h e a r t r a t e and con c ed ed t h a t add i t ion a l

t r e a tm en t wou l d ty p i c a l ly b e adm in i s t e r ed in l ig h t o f M r . M e l f i ‘ s

c r i t i c a l symp tom s . How ev e r th e r e co rd d o e s no t r e f l e c t any

add i t ion a l

t r e a tm en t .

Fu r th e r , a l though D r . B ru n s t e s t i f i e d t h a t

M r . M e l f i r e c e iv ed nu r s i ng c a r e , no do c um e n t a t ion w a s g en e r a t e d

to th a t e f f e c t e i th e r .

Th e on ly do cum en t a t ion th a t s how ed any

t r e a tm en t w a s a b i l l i ng sh e e t

ind i c a t ing th a t p u l s e ox im e t ry ,

c a th e t e r p l a c em en t and an e l e c t ro c a rd i og r am w e r e p e r fo rm ed . M r .

M e l f i ‘ s cond i t ion qu i c k ly d e t e r io r a t ed , and , d e sp i t e th e f a c t

th a t h e s top p e d b r e a th ing an d b e c am e un r e spon s iv e ,

th e r e i s

no th ing in th e m ed i c a l r e co rd s to in d i c a t e th a t any l i f e – s a v ing

t r e a tm en t w a s in i t i a t ed .

M r . M e l f i d i ed a t 6 :20 p .m .

th a t ev en ing .

Th e d e a th

c e r t i f i c a t e p r ep a r ed by th e ho sp i t a l

in c lud e d M r . M e l f i ‘ s n am e

a n d a g e , bu t om i t t ed any add i t ion a l

id en t i fy ing in f o rm a t io n su ch

a s h i s a dd r e s s , so c i a l s e cu r i ty numb e r , and Jo ann T ed e s co ‘ s

4

con t a c t

in fo rm a t i o n , wh i ch h ad b e en l i s t e d on th e EMS R e po r t a nd

in th e P a t i en t R eg i s t r a t ion Fo rm . A l though D r . B run s t e s t i f i ed

th a t h e m ad e two phon e c a l l s in an e f fo r t to r e a c h Ms . T e d e s c o ,

th e s e a t t emp t s a r e a l so undo c um e n t ed in th e r e co rd s .

M r . M e l f i ‘ s body r em a in ed in M t . S in a i Ho sp i t a l ‘ s mo rgu e fo r

30 d ay s .

On Nov emb e r 2 1 , 2001 ,

a d e a th c e r t i f i c a t e w a s f i l ed

w i t h th e NYC D ep a r tm e n t o f H e a l th .

Sh o r t ly th e r e a f t e r a bu r i a l

p e rm i t w a s i s su ed , and on Nov emb e r 28 , 2001 , M r . M e l f i ‘ s bo dy w a s

t r a n s f e r r ed to t h e C i ty m o rgu e a t B e l l e vu e Ho sp i t a l .

Th e r e c o r d i s s i l en t a s to any e f fo r t m ad e to id en t i fy o r

l o c a t e th e n ex t o f k in du r ing th e p e r i od th e body w a s a t th e C i ty

mo rgu e . M r . M e l f i ‘ s body w a s s ub s e q u en t l y s en t fo r emb a lm i n g

p r a c t i c e by s tud en t s o f th e N a s s au Coun ty Commun i ty Co l l eg e ‘ s

Mo r tu a ry S c i en c e D ep a r tm en t b e fo r e i t w a s f in a l ly t r an s f e r r ed on

D e c emb e r 20 , 2001 to th e C i t y c em e t e ry on H a r t I s l and a l so kn ow n

a s “Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld . “2 M r . M e l f i ‘ s body w a s in t e r r e d in a m a s s

2The New Yo rk C i ty D e p a r tm en t o f Co r r e c t ion s m a in t a in s and
o p e r a t e s th e C i ty C em e t e ry , c a l l ed Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld , on H a r t
I s l and ,
t h e B ro n x ,
in Long I s l and Sound . Bu r i a l s a r e d o n e w i th
inm a t e l abo r . H a r t I s l and w a s pu r ch a s ed by th e C i t y in 1868 an d
a y e a r l a t e r w a s e s t ab l i sh ed a s th e C i ty ‘ s pub l i c c em e t e ry fo r
th e bu r i a l o f tho s e p e r son s who d i e d i nd i g en t o r who s e bod i e s
w en t un c l a im ed . H a r t I s l and b eg an a s a p r i son c amp fo r
con f ed e r a t e s o ld i e r s and w a s su b s eq u en t l y hom e to a ch a r i ty
ho sp i t a l fo r wom en , an in s an e a sy lum ,
r e fo rm a to ry , and a j a i l fo r
p r i son e r s who w o r k ed o n th e Po t t e r ‘ s F i e l d bu r i a l d e t a i l . Du r ing
Wo r ld W a r I I ,
th e N a v y u s ed th e i s l and fo r d i s c ip l in a ry b a r r a ck s .
inm a t e s o n H a r t I s l and app e a l e d to th e w a r d en and
In th e 1940 s ,

5

g r av e w i th 1 50 u n c l a im ed bod i e s .

Two mon th s a f t e r M r . M e l f i ‘ s bu r i a l , on o r abou t F eb ru a ry 2 ,

20 02 , h i s n i e c e , Dawn Ko s i l l a ,

a New Yo rk S t a t e T roop e r , w a s

co n t a c t ed by t h e m an ag e r o f th e N a r r a g a n s e t t Ho t e l who in fo rm ed

h e r o f h e r un c l e ‘ s d e a th . Ms . Ko s i l l a , who h ad v i s i t ed h e r un c l e

app rox im a t e l y a w e ek b e fo r e h i s d e a th , no t i f i ed h e r f a t h e r ,

t h e

d e c ed e n t ‘ s b ro th e r , John M e l f i .

Th e f am i ly th en co n t a c t ed Ms .

s co who adv i s ed th em th a t s h e h ad no t b e en in fo rm ed ab ou t

L eo n a rd M e l f i ‘ s d e a th .

Jo hn M e l f i

imm ed i a t e ly s t a r t ed m ak ing inqu i r i e s a t M t . S i n a i

Ho sp i t a l and th e C i ty m o r gu e in an e f fo r t to l o c a t e h i s b ro th e r ‘ s

b ody . A f t e r s e v e r a l un su c c e s s fu l en coun t e r s w i th emp loy e e s o f

th e ho sp i t a l and th e m o r gu e , h e en l i s t ed th e a s s i s t an c e o f th e

l o c a l m ed i a and s ho r t ly t h e r e a f t e r l

in m id -F eb ru a ry ,

l e a rn ed t h a t

h i s b ro th e r h ad b e en bu r i ed in Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld .

J oh n M e l f i a r r ang ed fo r th e exhum a t ion o f th e body on Ap r i l

o f f e r ed to bu i ld a monum en t
to th e unb e f r i end ed d e ad . Th e 30 – foo t
h igh m em o r i a l w a s comp l e t ed in 1948 . On on e s id e i s eng r av ed a
s imp l e c rOSS i on th e o th e r th e wo rd “P e a c e . “
Th e l ik e ly o r ig in
o f th e t e rm “Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld ” a s m e a n ing a pub l i c bu r i a l p l a c e fo r
po o r a nd u nk now n p e r s on s i s a p a s s ag e f rom th e Go sp e l o f S t .
“Th en Jud a s , wh i ch h ad b e t r ay ed H im ,
M a t th ew (27 : 3 -8 ) :
s aw th a t
h e w a s cond emn ed ,
r ep en t ed h im s e l f , and b rou gh t ag a i n th e th i r ty
p i e c e s o f s i lv e r to th e ch i e f p r i e s t s [ . . . J and th e y took
coun s e l l and bough t w i th th em th e p o t t e r s f i e ld to bu ry s t r ang e r s
in . “
h t tp : / /www . co r r e c t i onh i s t o ry .o rg / h tm l / ch ro n i c l /n y cd o c /h tm l /h a r t .h
tm l .

6

10 1 2 00 2 and h ad i t t r an s po r t ed to a M anh a t t an f un e r a l hom e wh e r e

h e id en t i f i e d h i s b r o t h e r l s n ak ed co rp s e wh i ch w a s v i s ib ly

s c a r r ed w i th in c i s ion s and ho l e s m ad e by t h e s tud en t s who h ad

p r a c t i c ed on h im .

L eo n a rd M e l f i w a s f in a l ly l a id to r e s t in th e

f am i ly b u r i a l p lo t

i n h i s hom e tow n o f B ingh am ton I New Yo rk on

A p r i l 18 1 2002 .

On o r abo u t May 2 , 2002 , John M e l f i s e rv ed a no t i c e o f c l a im

on th e d e f end an t s .

no t i c e o f c l a im s t a t e d in th e en t ry

r equ i r ed fo r ” th e t im e wh en l

th e p l a c e wh e r e , and th e m a nn e r In

wh i ch th e c l a im a ro s e , ” th a t du e to M t . S in a i / s n eg l i g e n c e and

m e d i c a l m a l p r a c t i c e l M r . M e l f i ex p i r ed a t

th e ho sp i t a l o n O c to b e r

28 , 20 01 .

Th e no t i c e o f c l a im fu r th e r s t a t ed th a t “no

n o t i f i c a t i on w a s m ad e to anyon e r eg a rd ing M r . M e l f i / s d e a th , ” an d

th a t p r i o r to h i s bu r i a l on D e c emb e r 2 0 1 200 1 1 “h i s body w a s

i l l eg a l ly emb a lmm en t

( s i c ) w i th ou t

th e p e rm i s s ion o f th e n e x t o f

k in . “

On O c tob e r 21 1 2002 1

th e p l a in t i f f comm en c ed th i s a c t i on

a g a in s t

th e C i ty d e f end an t s and M t . S in a i a s s e r t ing c au s e s o f

a c t ion fo r m ed i c a l m a lp r a c t i c e l w rong fu l d e a th l

lo s s o f

s epu l ch e r l f r a u du l en t con c e a lm en t and pun i t i v e d am ag e s .

Fo l l ow ing d i s c o v e rY I d e f end an t New Y o rk C i ty H e a l th and H o sp i t a l s

Co rpo r a t ion l su ed h e r e a s B e l l ev u e Ho s p i t a l and H e a l th and

Ho s p i t a l s Co rp o r a t ion ( h e r e in a f t e r r e f e r r ed to a s “HHC”) mov ed

7

fo r d i sm i s s a l o f th e a c t io n a s t im e -b a r r ed b y th e 9 0 – d ay

r eq u i r em en t fo r s e rv i c e o f n o t i c e o f c l a im .

Th e d e f e n d an t M t .

S in a i Ho sp i t a l mov ed to d i sm i s s th e c l a im s fo r pun i t i v e d am ag e s

and f r audu l en t co n c e a lm en t .

T h e p l a in t i f f mov ed fo r l e av e to

am end h i s comp l a in t to add c l a im s fo r

i g e n t and in t en t ion a l

i n f l i c t ion o f emo t ion a l d i s t r e s s .

By d e c i s ion and o r d e r d a t e d Ap r i l 30 , 2008 ,

th e cou r t d en i e d

HHC ‘ s mo t ion fo r d i sm i s s a l .

Th e cou r t r e a son ed th a t , ” [ a ) s t h e

d e f end an t ‘ s condu c t i s no t

imm ed i a t e ly app a r en t

to a p l a in t i f f ,

th e t im e in wh i c h to f i l e a no t i c e o f c l a im in su ch a c a s e shou ld

b e g i n to ru n on ly wh e n th e w rongdo ing h a s b e en d i s cov e r ed ,

su ch

a s in a m ed i c a l m a lp r a c t i c e c a s e in wh i ch a fo r e ign ob j e c t i s

d i s cov e r ed in th e body o f a p a t i en t . I I

Th e cou r t a l so d en i ed M t .

S in a i ‘ s mo t ion to d i sm i s s th e pun i t i v e d am ag e s c l a im ; i t

d i sm i s s ed t h e p l a i n t i f f ‘ s f r audu l en t con c e a lm en t c l a im .

Th e p l a i n t i f f ‘ s mo t ion fo r l e av e to am end w a s g r an t ed to th e

ex t en t o f p e rm i t t ing h im to a s s e r t a c au s e o f a c t ion fo r g ro s s

n eg l ig en c e in t h e c l a im ag a in s t M t . S in a i and to s e e k pun i t iv e

d am ag e s in c o n n e c t i o n th e r ew i t h ;

l e av e to am e nd w a s no t g r an t ed

to a dd c l a im s o f n eg l ig en t and in t en t ion a l in f l i c t ion o f

emo t ion a l d i s t r e s s a s th e s e w e r e d e t e rm in ed by th e cou r t to b e

dup l i c a t iv e o f th e lo s s o f s e pu l ch e r c l a im . A l l c l a im s ag a in s t

th e New Y o r k C i t y Po l i c e D ep a r tm en t , D ep a r tm en t o f Co r r e c t i on s

8

a nd D e p a r tm en t o f H e a l th w e r e d i sm i s s ed a s th e c ou r t d e t e rm in ed

t h a t th ey h ad no du ty to id en t i fy M r . M e l f i o r lo c a t e h i s n e x t o f

k in .

Fo r th e r e a son s s e t f o r t h b e low , we m od i f y and d i sm i s s th e

c l a im fo r pun i t iv e d am ag e s on t h e lo s s o f s e pu l ch e r c au s e o f

a c t ion a g a i n s t M t . S in a i , an d a f f i rm Su p r em e Cou r t ‘ s

d e t e rm in a t ion to d eny d i sm i s s a l o f t h e a c t ion ag a in s t HHC on t h e

g ro und s th a t

t h e no t i c e o f c l a im fo r lo s s o f s ep u l ch e r w a s

un t im e ly f i l ed .

I t i s w e l l e s t ab l i sh ed th a t th e commo n – l aw r igh t o f

s epu l c h e r g iv e s t h e n ex t o f k in th e a b s o lu t e r igh t to th e

imm ed i a t e po s s e s s ion o f a d e c e d e n t ‘ s body fo r p r e s e rv a t io n and

bu r i a l , and th a t d am ag e s w i l l b e aw a r d ed ag a in s t any p e r son who

un l aw f u l ly in t e r f e r e s w i th th a t r igh t o r imp rop e r ly d e a l s w i th

th e d e c ed en t ‘ s body . D a r c y v . P r e s b y t e r i an Ho sp .

in C i ty o f N .Y . ,

202 N .Y . 259 , 95 N .E . 695 (1911 ) i E s t a t e o f S ch e u e r v . C i ty o f

New Yo r k , 10 A .D .3d 272 , 274 -2 75 , 780 N .Y .S .2d 597 r 6 00 (1 s t

D ep t . 2004 ) r

d en i ed r

6 N .Y .3d 7 0 8 , 8 1 3 N .Y .S .2d 4 4 r 846

N .E . 2d 475 (2006 ) i B o o th v . Hu f f r 273 A .D . 2d 576 r 708 N .Y .S .2d

757 (3 rd D ep t . 2 0 0 0 ) ; Lo t t v . S t a t e o f New Yo rk r 3 2 M i s c .2d 296 ,

29 7 , 2 55 N .Y .S . 2 d 434 , 436 (C t .C l . 1962 ) .

A c t ion s ag a in s t HHC a r e gov e r n ed by M cK inn ey ‘ s

Un con so l id a t ed L aw s o f NY § 740 1 (2 ) wh i ch ,

i n r e l ev an t p a r t ,

9

p rov id e s th a t su ch a c t io n m ay no t b e comm en c ed “un l e s s a no t i c e

o f in t en t ion to comm en c e su ch a c t ion and o f th e t im e wh en and t h e

p l a c e wh e r e th e to r t o c c u r r ed and t h e in ju r i e s o r d am ag e , w e r e

su s t a in ed [ . . . J sh a l l h av e b e en f i l ed w i th a d i r e c to r o r o f f i c e r

o f th e co r po r a t i on w i th i n n i n e ty d ay s a f t e r su ch c a u s e o f a c t ion

sh a l l h av e a c c ru ed . “

HHC a r gu e s th a t

t h e mo t ion cou r t e r r ed b e c au s e th e

p l a in t i f f ‘ s no t i c e w a s un t im e ly .

HHC a s s e r t s th a t t h e c au s e o f

a c t ion a c c ru ed on D e c emb e r 20 , 2001 ,

th e d ay L e on a rd M e l f i ‘ s body

w a s s en t

to th e Mo r tu a r y S c i en c e D ep a r tm en t o f N a s s au Comm un i ty

C o l l eg e , and thu s th e d ay o f th e a l l eg ed to r t iou s in t e r f e r en c e

w i th th e p l a i n t i f f ‘ s r ig h t

to imm ed i a t e po s s e s s ion o f th e body .

We r e j e c t HHC ‘ s a rg um en t on th e g round s th a t i t f a i l s to

r e cogn i z e t h e e s s en t i a l n a tu r e o f th e r i gh t o f s epu l c h e r ,

a

un iqu e c au s e o f a c t ion amo ng th e to r t s r e cogn i z ed a t common l aw .

Fo r thou s and s o f y e a r s ,

th e r igh t o f s e pu l ch e r h a s

en com p a s s ed a so l e ly emo t io n a l

in ju ry ,

a con c ep t th a t ,

in

g en e r a l , d i d no t g a in cu r r en cy in New Yo rk un t i l th e l a t e 19 50 s .

Du r ing i t s evo lu t ion in th e common l aw ,

t h e r e fo r e , c l a im s fo r th e

lo s s o f s epu l c h e r h av e comp e l l ed cou r t s to s t rugg l e w i th th e

l eg a l con c e p t s and th e o r i e s und e rp i nn ing th e com p e n s a b l e w rong .

A t th i s po in t ,

th e cou r t s h av e r e cogn i z ed th a t th e r igh t o f

s epu l c h e r i s l e s s a qu a s i -p rop e r ty r i gh t and mo r e th e l eg a l r ig h t

1 0

o f th e s u rv iv ing n ex t o f k in to f ind ” so l a c e and com fo r t ” in th e

r i tu a l o f bu r i a l . Con s equ en t ly , we f ind th a t a c au s e o f a c t ion

do e s no t a c c ru e un t i l

in t e r f e r en c e w i th th e r igh t d i r e c t l y

imp a c t s on t h e ” so l a c e and com f o r t ” o f th e n e x t o f k in ,

th a t i s ,

un t i l

in t e r f e r en c e c au s e s m e n t a l an g u i sh fo r th e n ex t o f

n .

Fu r th e r , b e c au s e th e in ju ry i s em o t ion a l o r m en t a l , i t i s

ax iom a t i c th a t a p l a in t i f f m u s t b e aw a r e o f t h e in t

e r en c e

g iv ing

s e to h i s /h e r d i s t r e s s b e

h e / s h e c an a c tu a l

exp e r i en c e d i s t r e s s .

Th e r igh t o f s epu l c h e r , evok ing th e my s t e ry and so r row o f

d e a t h an d t h e hop e f o r an a f t e r l i f e , h a s b e en r i tu a l i z ed s in c e

th e e a r l i e s t p r e -Ch r i s t i an c iv i l i z a t ion s .

F r om th e Egy p t i an

mumm i f i c a t io n p ro c e s s to th e Roman c iv i l l aw ‘ s impo s i t ion o f a

du ty o f bu r i a l , v i r t u a l ly ev e ry f a i th and so c i e ty h a s exh ib i t ed a

r ev e r en c e fo r t h e d e ad .

C em e t e ry , 10 R . I . 227 , 235 -36 (1872 ) . Num e rou s B ib l i c a l

r e f e r en c e s to b u r i a l sh ap ed th e C h r i s t i an b e l i e f th a t p rop e r

bu r i a l in co n s e c r a t ed g round w a s e s s en t i a l to r e su r r e c t i on . S e e ,

~, G en e s i s 50 :26 (d e s c r ib ing Jo s ep h ‘ s bu r i a l ) i D e u t e ronom y

3 4 : 6 (d e s c r i b i ng Mo s e s ‘ bu r i a l ) .

Mo s c h io n ,

a G r e e k po e t

f r om th e th i r d c en tu ry B .C . , op in ed

th a t m ank ind b eg an to bu ry th e d e ad to r emov e a l l t r a c e s o f a

f o rm e r s a v a g e ex i s t en c e o r th e c ann ib a l i sm o f th e T i t an s :

1 1

”Th e e a r t h , on c e b a r r e n , b eg a n to b e p lough ed by yo k ed
ox e n ,
t ow e r in g c i t i e s a ro s e , m e n bu i l t sh e l t e r i n g h om e s
and tu rn ed th e i r l iv e s f r om s av ag e w a y s to c i v i l i z ed .
F rom th i s t im e th ey m ad e i t a l aw to bu ry th e d e ad o r
g iv e unbu r i ed bod i e s th e i r po r t ion o f du s t ,
l e a v i ng no
v i s ib l e r em ind e r o f th e i r fo rm e r imp e r i ou s f e a s t s . “
W .K .C . Gu t h r i e , T h e Soph i s t s , a t 82
[C am b r i dg e Un i v .
P r e s s 19 71 ] , W .B . Ty r r e l l and F .S . B r own , A th en i an
My t h s and In s t i tu t io n s , a t 81 ,
[Ox fo rd U n iv . P r e s s
19 91 ] .

In th e G r e e k t r a g edy An t igon e , Sopho c l e s a s c r ib ed th e r igh t

to bu r y th e d e ad a s g iv en by t h e god s . C r eon , who a s c end ed t o

th e t h ron e o f Th eb e s a f t e r O ed ipu s w a s exp e l l ed fo r k i l l ing h i s

f a th e r and m a r ry ing h i s mo th e r , d e c r e e d th a t Po lyn i c e s ,

son o f

th e i n c e s tuou s un io n b e tw e en O ed ipu s and Jo c a s t a , w a s no t

to b e

bu r i ed bu t r a th e r r em a in abov e th e g round to ro t .

Th e b l ind

p roph e t T e i r e s i a s r a i l e d ag a in s t C r eon ‘ s d e c i s io n :

“Know ,
th en , and k now i t w e l l ,
th a t th ou s h a l t s e e no t
m any w i nd ing c i r cu i t s o f th e su n , b e fo r e th ou g iv ‘ s t a
q u i t t a n c e fo r th e d e ad ,
a co rp s e b y th e b ego t t en ; fo r
th a t
tho u h a s t
t r amp l ed to th e g round w h a t s tood on
h igh , and fou l ly p l a c ed w i th in a ch a rn e l -hou s e a l iv ing
sou l . A nd now thou k e ep ‘ s t f rom th em ,
t h e God s b e low ,
th e co rp s e o f on e un b l e s t , unw ep t , unh a l l ow ed . ” H a rv a rd
C l a s s i c s Vo l . V I I I , P a r t 6 , L in e s 1223 – 1231 [P .F .
Co l l i e r & Son , N .Y . ] .

Hugo G r o t i u s ,

th e g r e a t ju r i s t o f th e 17 th c en tu ry Du t ch

R e pub l i c ,

in a comm en t a ry abou t

th e r igh t o f s epu l c h e r , expound ed

on th e an c i e n t sou r c e s :

” I so c r a t e s t r e a t ing o f th e w a r o f T h e s eu s ag a in s t C r eon
sp e a k s thu s :

“Who do e s no t know , who h a s no t

l e a rn ed , ev en i n

1 2

th e D i on y s i a c f e s t iv a l s f rom th e w r i t e r s o f t r ag ed i e s ,
wh a t ev i l s b e f e l l A d r a s tu s b e f o r e Th eb e s , wh en , w i sh i ng
to r e i n s t a t e th e son o f O ed i pu s , h i s s on – in – l aw , h e
lo s t th e mo s t o f h i s A rg iv e t roop s and s aw th e l e a d e r s
th em s e lv e s ly ing s l a i n i wh e n h e h im s e l f , d i sg r a c e fu l ly
su r v i v i ng , cou ld no t ob t a in a t ru c e to bu ry th e d e ad ,
to A t h en s , wh i ch T h e s eu s th en
h e c am e a s a su pp l i an t
w a s ru l in g , and b e sough t T h e s eu s no t
to cou n t i t a
t r iv i a l m a t t e r th a t su ch men l ay u n b u r i e d , and no t
to
a l low th e co n t emp tuou s d i s r eg a r d o f th e an c i en t cu s tom
and an c e s t r a l r i gh t , wh i ch a l l m en h av e in common , no t
a s i f e s t ab l i sh ed b y m an , bu t o rd e r ed by a d i v in e
pow e r ; and Th e s eu s , wh en h e h e a rd th i s , w i thou t d e l ay
s en t an emb a s sy to Th eb e s .

“L a t e r th e s am e au tho r c en su r e d th e Th eb an s
b e c au s e t h ey h ad pu t
t h e d e c r e e s o f th e i r own s t a t e
abov e t h e d iv in e l aw s . He m e n t i o n s th e s am e s to ry a l s o
in th e P r a i s e o f H e l en ,
e l s ewh e r e ,
in th e P a n egy r i c ,
and in t h e P l a t a i c O r a t i on . H e rodo tu s ,
too , m en t ion s i t
in h i s n in th book , D iodo ru s S i cu lu s in h i s H i s to r i e s ,
Book IV , X en ophon in h i s G r e ek H i s to ry , B ook V I , and
Ly s i a s in th e o r a t ion in ho no r o f th e dead i f i n a l ly ,
A r i s t id e s h a s th e s t o r y in h i s P anA th e n i an O r a t io n , an d
h e s ay s th a t th i s w a r w a s und e r t ak en on b e h a l f o f t h e
common n a tu r e o f m en . n On th e Law o f W a r and P e a c e ,
Book 2 , Ch . 19 [162 5 ] .

Th e an c i en t con c ep t th a t ev e ry p e r son i s en t i t l ed to a

p rop e r bu r i a l con t i nu ed th ro ugh th e evo lu t ion o f Eng l i sh common –

l aw an d p rov id e s th e o r i g in s o f Am e r i c a n ju r i sp rud en c e con c e r n i ng

th e r igh t o f s epu l c h e r . 3

In 17 th c en tu ry Eng l and th e b u r i a l o f

b od i e s w a s p e r fo rm ed p r im a r i ly by chu r ch e s wh i ch h ad a du ty to

3 R i c h a rd Bu rn , an e a r ly Eng l i s h au tho r on th e top i c o f
e c c l e s i a s t i c a l l aw , w ro t e o f th e r igh t o f ev e ry p a r i sh ion e r to a
Ch r i s t i an bu r i a l
He fu r th e r
in th e chu r chy a rd o f h i s p a r i sh .
ex p l a in ed th a t th i s r igh t to bu r i a l c anno t b e d en i ed a s a r e su l t
o f d eb t , c l e a r ly in d i c a t in g th e so c i e t a l con c e r n w i th t im e ly
bu r i a l . Bu rn , E c c l e s i a s t i c a l Law Vo l . 1 a t 258 -58 (7 th e d . 1809 ) .

1 3

In th a t c a s e ,

th e d e f end an t a rgu ed th a t th e p l a i n t i f f w idow

h a d no l eg a l

in t e r e s t in o r r igh t

to th e body o f h e r d e c e a s ed

h u sb an d .

Th e d e f end an t a s s e r t e d t h a t

th e m en t a l s u f f e r ing and

n e rvou s s h o ck b e c a u s e o f th e b ody ‘ s mu t i l a t ion and d i s s e c t ion

w e r e no t a c t ion ab l e b e c au s e th ey w e r e no t d ep end en t upon a c tu a l

in ju ry to p e r son o r p rop e r ty s in c e t h e body w a s no t p rop e r ty .

Th e cou r t ,

r e j e c t e d t h e ub iqu i tou s “nu l l iu s in bon i s “

ph r a s e , s t a t ing th a t i t m ad e s en s e on ly in a p e r iod in h i s to ry

wh en s ep u1 . tu r e and cu s tody o f th e body r em a in s w e r e w i th in th e

ex c lu s iv e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f th e ch u r ch and e c c l e s i a s t i c a l c ou r t s .

Id . a t 3 10 .

In s t e ad ,

th e cou r t h e l d th a t

” t h e r igh t

to

po s s e s s ion o f a d e a d body fo r th e pu rpo s e s o f d e c en t bu r i a l

b e lo ng s to th o s e mo s t

in t im a t e ly and c lo s e l y c onn e c t e d w i th th e

d e c e a s ed by dom e s t i c t i e s . ” Id . a t 309 . A s a co n s eq u e n c e ,

th e

cou r t ob s e rv ed , ” th e m e r e f a c t

t h a t a p e r s on h a s ex c lu s iv e r igh t s

ov e r a body fo r t h e pu rpo s e s o f b u r i a l l e ad s n e c e s s a r i ly to th e

c on c l u s i on th a t i t i s h i s p r op e r t y in th e b ro ad e s t and mo s t

g en e r a l s e n s e o f th a t

t e rm . ” Id . a t 3 1 0 .

S ign i f i c an t ly , how ev e r ,

th e c ou r t sh i ed aw ay f r om ho ld in g

th a t th e com p e n s a b l e w ro ng a ro s e b e c au s e in t e r f e r en c e w i th th e

r i gh t w a s a fo rm o f in ju ry to p rop e r ty .

In s t e ad , i t

ch a r a c t e r i z ed th e “po s s e s so ry ” r igh t a s a l eg a l r igh t w i th

d am a g e s r e cov e r ab l e u p o n th e to r t iou s i nv a s io n o f su ch l eg a l

1 5

r i gh t .

Id .

Th e co u r t

th en co n c lu d ed th a t uwh e r e th e w rong fu l a c t

co n s t i t u t e s an in f r ing em en t on ( s i c )

a l eg a l r i gh t , m en t a l

su f f e r ing m ay b e r e cov e r ed f o r ,

i f i t i s th e d i r e c t , p rox im a t e ,

an d n a tu r a l r e su l t o f th e w rong fu l a c t . H

a t 311 .

F rom t h e r e ,

i t w a s

y a s t r e t ch fo r

cou r t

to ho ld th a t em o t ion a l

i n j u ry to n ex t o f k in c a n b e p r e s um e d in a lo s s o f s ep u l ch e r

a c t ion .

a t 312 ( I t ” i s t oo p l a in to adm i t o f a rgum en t H th a t

“m en t a l su f f e r ing and in j u ry t o th e f e e l ing s wou ld b e o rd in a r i ly

th e n a tu r a l and p rox im a t e r e su l t o f know l edg e t h a t

th e r em a in s o f

a d e c e a s ed hu sb and h ad b e en mu t i l a t ed . H) .

Ov e r

t h e n ex t

f ew d e c ad e s , New Y o rk cou r t s c i t ed f r equ en t ly

to L a r son in r e c og n i z ing th e l eg a l r i gh t o f th e n e x t o f k in to

po s s e s s th e co rp s e fo r p r e s e rv a t ion and bu r i a l .

Th ey app e a r ed

comp e l l ed , how ev e r ,

to r e s t a t e a t ev e ry tu rn , Lo rd Cok e ‘ s

m i s app l i ed d i c tum th a t no p r op e r t y r igh t s ex i s t ed in t h e co rp s e .

S e e D a r cy , 202 N .Y . a t 262 , c i t ing L a r so n v . Ch a s e , w i th

u app rov a lH ( r igh t o f s epu l ch e r c anno t b e m a in t a in ed by an

ex e c u to r o r adm in i s t r a to r o f an e s t a t e b e c au s e i t i s no t a

p rop e r ty r i gh t ) ; H a s s e lb a ch v . M ou n t S in a i H o sp . , 173 App . D iv .

8 9 , 92 , 1 59 N .Y .S . 376 , 37 9 (1 s t D ep t . 1916 )

(Uno p rop e r ty

r i g h t s ,

in th e o rd in a ry c omm e r c i a l s en s e ,

i n a d e ad body , and th e

d am ag e s a l low e d [ . . . J a r e n e v e r aw a rd ed a s a r e comp en s e fo r th e

in ju ry d on e to th e body a s a p i e c e o f p rop e r tyH ) ; F o l e y v .

16

Ph e lp s , 1 A pp . D i v . 55 1 , 554 -555 , 37 N .Y .S . 471 , 47 3 -4 74 (1 s t

D ep t . 1896 ) .

T h e Fo l ey cou r t , wh i l e ho ld ing th a t

th e p l a in t i f f w idow d id

no t h av e an a c t ion b a s e d on a p rop e r ty r igh t fo r t h e un au tho r i z ed

d i s s e c t ion o f h e r hu sb and ‘ s

n ev e r th e l e s s

a “qu a s i

p rop e r t y ” r ig h t .

To r e a ch th i s r e su l t ,

th e cou r t ob s e rv ed th a t

” ‘ th e b u r i a l o f t h e d e ad i s a sub j e c t wh i ch in t e r e s t s t h e

f e e l ing s o f m ank ind to a

e r d eg r e e th an m any m a t t e r s o f

a c t u a l p rop e r ty . ‘ ” Fo l e v , 1

D iv . a t 555 , 37 N .Y .S . a t 474 ,

q u o t in g P i e r c e , 10 R . I . a t 237 -238 .

A “qu a s i p rop e r ty ” r i gh t ,

how ev e r , w a s to b e found in t h e ” du ty impo s ed by th e un iv e r s a l

f e e l ing s o f m a nk ind to b e d i s ch a rg ed by som e o n e tow a rd th e

d e ad . “

F o l e y , 1 App . D iv . a t 555 , 3 7 N .Y .S . a t 47 3 ( in t e rn a l

quo t a t ion m a rk s and c i t a t ion om i t t ed ) .

In C o h en v . Con g r eg a t io n

S h e a r i th I s r a e l

( 85 App . D iv . 65 , 67 , 82 N .Y .S . 918 , 9 19 (2 nd

D ep t . 1903 ) ) ,

th e cou r t ex p l a in ed th a t a c co rd in g th e n ex t o f k i n

a “qu a s i p rop e r tyH r ig h t

in th e d e c e d en t ‘ s body w a s ” equ i t ab l e

r e co gn i t i on o f th e n a tu r a l s en t im en t , a f f e c t ion , o r r ev e r en c e

wh i c h ex i s t s fo r th e mo r t a l r em a in s o f tho s e we h av e lov ed long

s in c e an d lo s t a wh i l e H ( i n t e r n a l quo t a t ion m a r k s and c i t a t io n

om i t t ed ) .

Th e F o l ey cou r t , how ev e r , h ad s to pp ed sho r t o f ag r e e ing w i th

th e f ind i ng o f th e L a r s o n cou r t th a t d am ag e s wou ld ” a l low a

1 7

r e cov e ry f o r m en t a l su f f e r ing and fo r in ju ry to th e f e e l ing s . “

Fo l ey , 1 App . D i v . a t 556 , 37 N .Y .S . a t 474 . E s t ab l i sh in g a

” qu a s i p rop e r ty ” r igh t

th e r e fo r e , s t i l l l e f t un an sw e r ed th e i s su e

o f wh a t p r e c i s e ly co n s t i tu t

th e a c t ion ab l e w rong i f a n e x t o f

k in w a s d ep r iv ed o f a

t I s body fo r

i a l o r i f th e r igh t

w a s in t e r f e r ed w i th in som e o th e r f a sh ion , and t hu s how d am ag e s

w e r e to b e c a l cu l a t e d ; b u t no

long .

1911 , abo u t fou r

s b e fo r e t h e Cou r t

f App e a l s

z e d in u n eq u iv o c a l

t e rm s th a t

” [ f ] r e edom f rom m en t a l

d i s tu r b an c e i s now a p ro t e c t ed i n t e r e s t ” (F e r r a r a v . G a l lu ch io , 5

N .Y .2d 16 , 2 1 , 1 76 N .Y .S . 2d 99 6 , 9 99 (1 958 ) ) , i t h ad r e cogn i z ed

comp en s ab l e emo t ion a l

in j u ry in r igh t o f s e pu l ch e r c a s e s . S e e

D a r cy v . P r e sby t e r i a n Ho sp i t a l

in th e C i ty o f N .Y . , 202 N .Y . 259 ,

sup r a .

In th a t c a s e ,

th e Cou r t f in a l l y look ed w i th ” app rov a l ” to

th e ru l e adop t ed by t h e L a r so n cou r t .

Id . , a t 263 .

Th e cou r t

h e ld th a t ev en t houg h th e r e w a s no p ro p e r ty r igh t

in a body ,

a

mo t h e r who s e d e c ed en t s on w a s sub j e c t ed to an un au th o r i z ed

au top sy w a s en t i t l ed to r e c o v e r ” f o r h e r wo und ed f e e l ing s and

m en t a l d i s t r e s s . ” Id .

Sub s equ en t ly ,

in 1916 ,

th i s Cou r t found th a t fo r a v io l a t io n

o f th e r ig h t to s epu l ch e r “d am ag e s m a y b e r e cov e r ed fo r th e

in ju ry to th e f e e l ing s and th e m en t a l s u f f e r i ng r e su l t ing f rom

th e un l aw fu l a c t . ” H a s s e lb a c h , 173 App . D iv . a t 9 1 , 159 N .Y .S . a t

1 8

37 8 .

In 1917 ,

th e Cou r t o f App e a l s found th a t th e bu r i a l o f a

f a th e r ‘ s body a t s e a d e p r iv ed th e n ex t o f k in ” o f th e so l a c e o f

g iv ing th e body a d e c en t b u r i a l on l a nd . “

F in l ey v . A t l an t i c

T r an sp . L td . , 220 N .Y . 2 4 9 , 257 , 115 N .E . 715 , 718 (1 917 )

(d am a g e s p rop e r ly r e cov e r ab l e so l e ly fo r m en t a l ang u i sh ,

su f f e r ing and n e rvou s sho ck ) . A y e a r l a t e r ,

th i s Cou r t ob s e rv ed :

” n e x t o f k in [ . . . J a r e en t i t l ed to su ch r igh t o f po s s e s s i on a s a

so l a c e and com fo r t

in th e i r t im e o f d i s t r e s s . ” S t ah l v . W i l l i am

N e c k e r In c . , 184 App . D i v . 85 , 90 -9 1 , 17 1 N .Y .S . 728 , 732 (1 s t

D ep t . 19 18 ) .

Th e Cou r t con c lud e d :

“On e who d ep r iv e s a p a r t y th u s

en t i t l ed [ . . . J f rom th e s o l a c e and com fo r t a r i s in g f rom th e

p r iv i l eg e o f su ch b u r i a l

[ . . . J i s l i ab l e in d am ag e s fo r th e

m en t a l su f f e r ing and a ng u i s h to th e su rv iv ing r e l a t iv e b y r e a s on

o f su ch d ep r iv a t ion . ” 184 Ap p . D iv . a t 91 , 17 1 N .Y .S . a t 7 32 .

In 193 3 ,

th e S e cond D e p a r tm e n t s t a t ed th a t “d am ag e s a r e

r e co v e r ab l e f o r in ju ry to th e f e e l ing s and m en t a l su f f e r ing

r e s u l t ing d i r e c t l y [ . . . J f rom th e w rong fu l a c t o f d ep r iv a t ion

a l though no a c t u a l o r p e cun i a ry d am ag e s b e p r o v en . ” Go s t kow sk i

v . Roman C a tho l i c Chu r ch , 23 7 A .D . 640 , 642 , 262 N .Y .S . 1 04 , 106

(2d D ep t . 19 33 ) , ~=-‘~, 262 N .Y . 320 , 18 6 N .E . 798 (1933 ) .

By 19 75 th e Cou r t o f App e a l s ,

in th e m e an t im e , h av ing

squ a r e ly add r e s s ed th e i s su e o f com p en s ab l e em o t i on a l h a rm ,

r e cogn i z e d th a t th e m i sh and l ing o f a co rp s e w a s o n e o f two

19

ex c ep t ion s p e rm i t t ing r e cov e ry fo r emo t ion a l h a rm a lo n e .

Jo hn son

v . S t a t e o f New Yo rk , 37 N .Y .2d 378 , 372 N .Y .S .2d 638 (1975 ) .

Th e Cou r t ob s e rv ed :

“R e cov e ry in th e s e c a s e s h a s o s t en s ib ly b e en

g round e d on a v io l a t ion o f th e r e l a t iv e ‘ s qu a s i -p rop e r t y r igh t

in

th e bo d y .

I t h a s b e en no t ed [ . . . J th a t

[ . . . J su c h a p ro p e r ty

r igh t i s l i t t l e m o r e th an a f i c t ion ;

in r e a l i ty ,

th e p e r s on a l

f e e l ing s o f th e su rv ivo r s a r e b e ing p ro t e c t ed . ” 37 NY2d a t 382 ,

372 N .Y .S .2d a t 641 ( in t e rn a l quo t a t ion m a r k s and c i t a t io n s

om i t t ed ) .

C ou r t s in o th e r ju r i sd i c t io n s a l so r e c ogn i z e d th a t a “qu a s i

p rop e r t y ” r igh t w a s a l eg a l f i c t ion to e n ab l e r e cov e ry o f d am ag e s

f o r in ju ry to th e f e e l ing s o f th e n ex t o f k in . S e e P rop e r ty t

P r iv a cy an d th e Hum an Body , 80 B .D . L . R ev . 359 , 385 -386 (2000 ) ,

c i t i ng C a rn ey v . Kn o l lwoo d C em e t e r y A s s n . , 33 O h io App .3d 31 , 36 ,

51 4 N .E .2d 430 , 435 (1986 )

(p l a in t i f f b r ing s th e a c t ion fo r th e

m en t a l ang u i sh und e rgo n e ” f rom th e r e a l i z a t ion th a t d i s r e sp e c t

a n d in d ign i t i e s h av e b e en h e ap ed upon th e bo dy o f o n e who w a s

c lo s e to h im in l i f e . ” ) i c i t ing Cu lp epp e r v . P e a r l S t . B l dg . , 877

P .2d 877 , 880 (Co lo . 1994 )

( i t i s no t

in ju ry to th e d e ad body

“bu t wh e th e r th e imp rop e r a c t i on s c au s ed em o t i on a l o r phy s i c a l

p a in o r su f f e r ing to su rv iv ing f am i ly m emb e r s ” ) ; c i t ing K e y e s v

Ko nk e l , 78 N .W . 6 49 , 649 (M i c h . 18 99 )

( r e cov e ry i s fo r d am ag e to

th e n ex t o f k in by i n f r ing em en t o f h i s r igh t to h av e th e body

20

d e l iv e r ed to h im f o r bu r i a l ) .

Th e c ou r t

in S c a rp a c i v . M i lw auk e e

coun ty (96 W i s .2d 663 , 672 , 29 2 N .W .2d 816 , 820 – 21 (1980 ) )

exp l a i n ed su c c in c t ly :

~The b a s i s fo r r e cov e ry o f d am ag e s i s found no t
in a
p rop e r ty r igh t in a d e ad body bu t
in th e p e r son a l r igh t
o f t h e f am i ly o f th e d e c e a s ed to b u ry th e body [ . . . J
Th e l aw i s no t p r im a r i ly con c e rn ed w i th th e ex t en t o f
th e phy s i c a l
in ju ry to th e bod i l y r em a i n s bu t w i th
wh e th e r th e r e w e r e any imp rop e r a c t ion s and wh e th e r
su ch a c t ion s c au s ed emo t ion a l o r ph y s i c a l su f f e r ing to
th e l iv in g k in . “

B a s ed on th e fo r ego ing an a ly s i s , we f ind HHC ‘ s a rg um en t t h a t

J o h n M e l f i ‘ s r igh t o f s ep u l ch e r c l a im a c c ru ed on D e c emb e r 20 ,

2001 to b e w i thou t m e r i t .

Th e d e c e d e n t ‘ s b ro th e r in th i s c a s e i s

no t s e ek ing to v ind i c a t e any q u a s i -p rop e r ty r i gh t th a t w a s

in t e r f e r ed w i t h on D e c emb e r 20 , 2001 w h e n HHC r e l e a s ed L eon a rd

M e l f i ‘ s bod y f o r p r a c t i c e emb a lm ing and bu r i a l

in Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld .

Jo hn M e l f i b r in g s t h e a c t i o n ag a in s t HHC b e c au s e o f th e m en t a l

angu i sh h e su f f e r ed u pon th e r e a l i z a t ion th a t h i s b ro th e r w a s

d e ad a n d th a t t h e f a i lu r e to n o t i f y th e n ex t o f k in d ep r iv ed th e

f am i ly o f g iv ing h im a p ro p e r bu r i a l .

H en c e , we f ind th a t f o r a r igh t o f s epu l ch e r c l a im to a c c ru e

1 )

th e r e mu s t b e in t e r f e r en c e w i th th e n ex t o f k in ‘ s imm ed i a t e

po s s e s s ion o f d e c ed e n t ‘ s body an d 2 )

th e in t e r f e r en c e h a s c a u s ed

m en t a l angu i s h , w h i ch i s g e n e r a l ly p r e sum ed .

In t e r f e r en c e c an

a r i s e e i th e r by un au tho r i z e d au t op sy (D a r cy , 202 N .Y . a t 2 6 2 –

21

263 ) , o r by d i s po s in g o f th e r em a in s in adv e r t en t ly (F in l ey , 220

N .Y . a t 25 7 -2 58 ; Co r r e a v . M a imon id e s M ed . C t r . , 16 5 M i s c . 2 d

6 14 , 62 9 N .Y .S . 2d 673 (Sup . C t . , K i ng s Cou n ty 1995 ) ) , o r , a s in

th i s c a s e , by f a i l u r e to no t i f y n ex t o f k in o f th e d e a th .

Th e

n ex t o f k in ‘ s m en t a l a ng u i sh in th e s e s i tu a t ion s i s th en

g e n e r a l ly p r e sum ed bu t ,

in any ev en t , c a nn o t b e f e l t un t i l th e

n ex t o f k in i s aw a r e o f th e in t e r f e r e n c e w i th h i s /h e r r igh t o f

po s s e s s i on o f th e lov ed on e ‘ s body fo r b u r i a l .

R igh t o f s epu l ch e r c a s e s ,

t h e n , a r e no t ak in to ” fo r e ign

ob j e c t ” c a s e s , a s Sup r em e Cou r t ob s e rv ed h e r e , wh e r e th e s t a tu t e

o f l im i t a t ion s i s to l l ed r a th e r th an a c c r u ing a t th e d a t e o f t h e

su rg eon ‘ s n e g l ig en t a c t .

In tho s e c a s e s , i t i s in d i sp u t ab l e th a t

a c t u a l

i n ju ry o c cu r s w h en th e fo r e ign o b j e c t i s l e f t in s id e th e

bod y bu t

th e s t a tu t e o f l im i t a t ion s i s t o l l ed un t i l p l a in t i f f

d i s cov e r s th e ex i s t en c e o f th e fo r e ign ob j e c t .

H e r e , b e c au s e th e in ju ry i s so l e ly emo t ion a l , i t i s

ax iom a t i c th a t a n ex t o f k in c an no t b e i n ju r ed em o t i o n a l ly un t i l

h e o r sh e b e com e s aw a r e o r h a s know l edg e th a t h i s o r h e r r igh t o f

s epu l ch e r h a s b e en in t e r f e r ed w i th un l aw fu l ly .

Thu s , wh i l e HHC i s co r r e c t th a t th e w rong fu l a c t th a t

in t e r f e r ed w i th po s s e s s ion o c cu r r ed on D e c emb e r 20 t 2001 , i t d id

no t b e com e an a c t io n ab l e w rong un t i l th e p l a in t i f f w aS t

in f a c t ,

em o t i on a l ly i n j u r ed by th e k now l edg e o f th a t

in t e r f e r en c e in o r

22

a round F eb ru a ry 200 2 .

In o th e r wo rd s , s e nd i ng a co rp s e to

Po t t e r ‘ s F i e ld o r fo r p r a c t i c e emb a lm ing i s no t a c t ion ab l e p e r

s e ; i t i s no t a c t ion ab l e un t i l a c l a im an t n ex t o f k in h a s

su f f e r e d emo t ion a l a ngu i s h a s a r e su l t o f th e w rong fu l a c t .

Con t r a ry to t h e d e f end an t ‘ s a s s e r t ion s ,

th e a c c r u a l o f c l a im

in r igh t o f s epu l ch e r a c t ion s b e long s in th a t sm a l l body o f c a s e

l aw wh e r e a c l a im do e s no t a c c ru e w i th th e n e g l i g en t a c t bu t a t

th e t im e a p l a i n t i f f i s a c tu a l l y in ju r e d by th e n e g l ig en t a c t .

S e e S ex s to n e v C i ty o f R o ch e s t e r , 32 A .D .2d 737 , 301 N .Y .S .2d 887

(4~ D ep t . 1969 )

(90 -d ay p e r iod fo r f i l ing a no t i c e o f c l a im d id

no t run f rom d a t e o f n e g l ig en t

i s su an c e o f c e r t i f i c a t e bu t

f rom

th e d a t e th e n eg l ig en t a c t p rod u c ed in ju ry to th e p l a in t i f f s ) ,

c i t i ng Kon a r v . Mon ro Mu f f l e r Shop s o f Ro ch e s t e r , 28 A .D .2d 642 ,

280 N .Y .S .2d 81 2 (4 th D e p t . 1967 ) ; s e e a l so Thom a s v . G ruppo so ,

73 M i s c .2d 427 , 431 , 34 1 N .Y .S .2d 819 , 8 2 4 (C iv . C t . N .Y . Cou n ty ,

19 73 )

( c au s e o f a c t i on d id no t a r i s e on d ay o f n e g l i g en t s a l e bu t

wh en p l a in t i f f d em and ed h i s p ro p e r ty and w a s no t i f i ed th a t i t w a s

so ld ) ; s e e a l so D i s t e l v . Coun ty o f U l s t e r , 10 7 A .D .2d 99 4 , 996 ,

484 N .Y .S . 715 , 717 (3~ D ep t . 1 985 )

( s t a t ing th a t th e 90 -d ay

n o t i c e r equ i r em e n t und e r s e c t ion 50 – e o f th e G en e r a l Mun i c ip a l

Law b eg an to ru n wh en p l a in t i f f s r e c e iv ed an a f f id av i t s t a t ing

th a t d e f en d an t cou ld no t

lo c a t e po r t ion s o f o rg an s o f d e c ed e n t ,

a f fo rd ing th em su f f i c i en t n o t i c e to cu t o f f th e to l l ing o f th e

23

s t a tu t e ) .

A s th e p l a in t i f f co r r e c t ly a s s e r t s ,

th e c a s e s r e l i ed on by

HHC a r e in appo s i t e . J e n s e n v . C i ty o f New Yo rk (288 A .D .2 d 346 ,

734 N .Y .S .2 d 88 (2 nd D e p t . 2001 ) ) and Moo r e v . C i ty o f New Y o rk

(2 91 A .D .2d 38 6 , 736 N .Y .S .2d 889 (2 nd D e p t . 2002 ) ) , a r e a c t ion s

in g r o s s n e g l ig en c e and n e g l i g en t in f l i c t ion o f emo t i on a l

d i s t r e s s , no t

lo s s o f s epu l ch e r c a s e s . Mo r eov e r ,

l i k e th e th i rd

c a s e , C a l ly v . New Y o r k Ho s p . Med . C t r . o f Qu e en s

(14 A .D . 3d

640 , 788 N .Y .S . 2 d 620 (1 s t D e p t . 2005 ) ) , J en s en and Moo r e con c e rn

th e t im e l in e s s o f th e comm en c em en t o f th e a c t io n s and thu s s p e ak

to th e s t a tu t e o f l im i t a t ion s in a c t ion s ag a in s t

th e c i ty r a th e r

th an th e t im e l in e s s o f no t i c e s o f c l a im .

I t m ay w e l l b e th a t w e r e we d e t e rm in in g th e t im e l in e s s o f

c omm en c em en t o f a r igh t o f s ep u l ch e r a c t ion , we wou ld d i s ag r e e

w i th th e S e cond D ep a r tm e n t and f i nd ,

l ik e th e mo t ion cou r t in

th i s c a s e ,

th a t a v i o l a t ion o f th e r i gh t o f s e pu l ch e r i s a

con t inu ing w rong , w i t h th e s t a tu t e o f l im i t a t io n s t o l l ed un t i l a

lo v ed on e ‘ s body i s r e tu rn ed o r th e n ex t o f k in i s in fo rm ed th a t

th e bod y w i l l n ev e r b e r e tu rn ed .

Ind e ed , we c o u ld b e sw ay ed by

th e cou r t ‘ s r e a son ing th a t a f ind i ng o th e r th an th a t o f

con t inu ing w rong wou l d r ew a rd ,

i f no t n e c e s s a r i ly en cou r ag e ,

a

to r t f e a so r ‘ s d e l ay in a ck now l edg ing m i s id en t i f i c a t ion o f r em a in s

( s e e J en s en , 288 A .D .2d a t 347 , 734 N .Y .S .2d a t 90 ) , o r th e

24

in ad v e r t en t d i spo s a l o f r em a i n s un t i l th e s t a tu t e o f l im i t a t i on s

h ad run . Bu t we n e ed no t r e a ch th e m e r i t s o f th a t

i s su e in th i s

c a s e .

A s to a no t i c e o f c l a im ,

th e 90 -d ay c lo ck s t a r t s to run u po n

th e a c c r u a l o f th e c l a im ,

th a t i s ,

th e mom en t a w rong b e com e s

a c t ion ab l e . A s t a tu t e o f l im i t a t ion s sp e ak s to th e l a t e s t po i n t

in t im e th a t an a c t io n f o r a w rong fu l a c t m ay b e comm en c ed .

In

th i s c a s e , John M e l f i ‘ s c l a im a c c ru ed upon th e p a in fu l

r e a l i z a t io n in F eb ru a ry 2 002 ,

th a t h i s b ro th e r ‘ s body h ad b e en

mu t i l a t e d and b u r i e d in a m a s s g r av e o f un c l a im ed bod i e s .

Th e r e fo r e t h e f i l in g o f th e no t i c e o f c l a im on May 2 , 2 00 2 w a s

t im e ly w i t h i n th e s t a t u t o r i ly p e rm i s s ib l e 90 d a y s .

HHC a l so app e a l s th e o rd e r d eny ing s umm a r y judgm en t a s to

th e lo s s o f s epu l ch e r c l a im on th e b a s i s th a t i t h ad no s t a tu to ry

du ty to lo c a t e th e n ex t o f k in and c anno t b e h e ld l i ab l e fo r i t s

d i s c r e t ion a r y d e l iv e ry o f th e un c l a im ed bod y to N a s s a u Coun ty

C ommu n i ty Co l l e g e ‘ s Mo r t u a ry S c i en c e D ep a r tm en t wh e r e s tud en t s

p r a c t i c ed emb a lm ing on th e body .

S e c t ion 421 1 (1 ) o f th e New

Yo r k P ub l i c H e a l th Law s e t s fo r th th e r equ i r em en t s fo r th e

d e l iv e r y o f un c l a im e d c ad av e r s to s c h oo l s . Sp e c i f i c a l ly ,

” [no ]

body o f a d e c e a s ed p e r son sh a l l b e d e l iv e r ed to [ . . . ] any

un iv e r s i ty , co l l eg e , o r s choo l

[ . . . ] i f th e d e c e a s ed p e r s o n i s

kn own to h av e a r e l a t i v e who s e p l a c e o f r e s id en c e i s kn own o r c an

25

b e a s c e r t a in ed a f t e r r e a son ab l e and d i l ig en t inqu i ry . “

Pub l i c

H e a l th Law § 421 1 (3 ) ( c ) .

Th e mo t ion cou r t co r r e c t ly con c lud ed th a t th e mo rgu e h ad a

s t a tu to ry o b l ig a t io n to m ak e ap p ro p r i a t e e f fo r t s to lo c a t e a n ex t

o f k in and th a t a qu e s t ion o f f a c t ex i s t s a s to wh e th e r i t

condu c t ed a ” r e a son ab l e and d i l ig en t

inqu i ry ” to lo c a t e th e n ex t

o f k in o f L eo n a rd M e l f i . G iv en th e p au c i ty o f ev id en c e th a t e v en

on e p e r s on a t t emp t ed to lo c a t e th e n ex t o f k in du r ing th e

d e c e d en t ‘ s s ad jou rn ey th rough th e C i ty mo rgu e to Po t t e r ‘ s F i e l d ,

i t i s con c e iv ab l e th a t a ju ry c o u l d f ind th a t HHC co nd u c t ed no

in qu i ry a t a l l , mu ch l e s s on e th a t i s r e a son ab l e and d i l ig e n t .

F in a l ly , a l though p u n i t iv e d am a g e s m a y b e aw a r d ed in a lo s s

o f s e p u l ch e r c l a im , M t . S in a i Ho sp i t a l a rgu e s th a t pun i t i v e

d am ag e s a r e n o t app rop r i a t e in th i s c a s e b e c au s e th e w rong fu l

con du c t d id n o t d emon s t r a t e su ch a ” ‘ con s c iou s an d d e l ib e r a t e

d i s r ega rd o f th e in t e r e s t s o f o th e r s [ so l

tha t

th e condu c t m a y b e

ca l l ed w i l f u l o r wa n ton . ‘ ” L ib e rm an v . R iv e r s id e Mem. Ch a p e l , 225

A .D . 2d 28 3 , 2 9 1 , 650 N .Y .S .2 d 194 , 2 00 (1 s t D ep t . 1 996 )

(quo t ing

P r o s s e r and K e e ton , To r t s § 2 , a t 9 -10 [5 th e d . 1984 ] ) i s e e a l s o

P l unk e t t v . NYC Down town Ho s p . , 21 A .D . 3d 10 22 , 801 N .Y .S .2d 3 54

(2~ D ep t . 2 005 ) i L i e ndo v . L ong I s . J ew i sh M ed . C t r . , 273 A .D .2d

445 , 71 1 N .Y .S . 2d 741 (2 nd D ep t . 2000 ) .

Th e r e co rd r e f l e c t s th a t th e d e f end an t , M t . S in a i Ho sp i t a l ,

26

h a s ex t en s iv e p ro to co l s in p l a c e to m ak e c e r t a in th a t a n ex t o f

k in i s lo c a t e d to c l a im th e body o f a d e c e a s ed p a t i en t .

Th e

s t ep s t ak en by ev e ry ho sp i t a l d ep a r tm en t a r e r equ i r ed to b e

do cum e n t ed .

Th e t r e a t ing phy s i c i an who p ronoun c e s th e d e a th i s

in i t i a l ly r e s p o n s ib l e fo r no t i fy ing th e n ex t o f k in .

I f h e i s

no t su c c e s s fu l , h e in fo rm s th e nu r s e m an a g e r , who th en con t inu e s

c o n t a c t e f fo r t s by m ak ing r ep e a t e d phon e c a l l s , s end ing a

t e l e g r am , and con t a c t i ng th e New Y o rk C i t y Po l i c e D ep a r tm en t to

r equ e s t v i s i t s to po t en t i a l ad d r e s s e s o f th e n ex t o f k in .

I f a l l

o f th e s e e f fo r t s a r e un su c c e s s fu l ,

th e nu r s e m an ag e r con t a c t s y e t

ano th e r ho sp i t a l d i r e c to r who condu c t s h e r own inv e s t ig a t ion

b e fo r e fo rm a l ly r equ e s t ing a po l i c e inv e s t i g a t ion . On c e th e bo dy

i s t r an s f e r r ed down to th e ho sp i t a l mo rg u e ,

th e r e a r e ev en mo r e

in t e r – a nd in t r a -d ep a r tm e n t a l p r o c edu r e s in p l a c e to a s c e r t a in a

n ex t o f k in . On ly a f t e r ev e ry sou r c e h a s b e en ex h au s t ed in

a t t em p t ing to id e n t i fy a n ex t o f k in ,

i s th e body t r an s f e r r ed to

th e C i ty mo rgu e .

O th e r th an th e two p hon e c a l l s pu rpo r t ed ly p l a c ed b y D r .

B ru n s th a t w e r e no t do cum e n t e d ,

th e r e i s no t h i ng in th e r e co rd to

sugg e s t th a t th e s e p r e c au t ion a ry p r o c edu r e s w e r e fo l low ed by M t .

S in a i in th i s c a s e .

Th e p e r sonn e l

to whom D r . B r un m a y h av e

d e l eg a t ed th i s du ty m ad e no d o cum en t e d a t t emp t

to con t a c t a n ex t

o f k in , no r w a s t h e New Y o rk Po l i c e D ep a r tm en t c on t a c t e d .

27

C r i t i c a l id en t i fy ing in fo rm a t io n w a s om i t t ed f rom th e d e a th

c e r t i f i c a t e p r ep a r ed by th e ho sp i t a l d e s p i t e th e f a c t

th a t th i s

in fo rm a t i on w a s e a s i ly ob t a in a b l e f rom i t s own r e co rd s .

Wh i l e i t i s po s s ib l e to v i ew th i s condu c t a s w i l l f u l and in

con s c iou s d i s r e g a r d o f o th e r s ,

in o rd e r fo r M t . S in a i to b e h e ld

v i c a r iou s ly l i ab l e fo r pun i t i v e d am ag e s a r i s in g f rom th e con du c t

o f i t s emp l oy e e s , i t m u s t h av e ” au t ho r i z ed , p a r t i c ip a t ed in ,

con s en t ed to o r r a t i f i ed th e condu c t g iv ing r i s e to su ch d am ag e s ,

o r d e l i b e r a t e l y r e t a in ed th e un f i t s e rv a n t ” su ch th a t i t i s

com p l i c i t

in th a t condu c t .

Lough ry v . L in co ln F i r s t B an k , 6 7

N .Y .2 d 369 , 378 , 4 9 4 N .E .2d 70 , 74 , 502 N .Y .S .2d 965 , 9 69 (1 986 ) ;

1 Mo t t S t r e e t ,

In c . v . Con Ed i son , 33 A .D .3d 531 , 532 , 823

N .Y .S .2d 375 , 3 76 (1 s t D ep t . 2006 ) . Comp l i c i ty i s ev id en t wh e n

” a sup e r io r o f f i c e r in th e cou r s e o f emp loYm e n t o rd e r s ,

p a r t i c ip a t e s in , o r r a t i f i e s ou t r a g e ou s c ond u c t . “

Lough ry , 67

N .Y .2 d a t 37 8 , 5 02 N .Y .S . 2d a t 970 . A ” sup e r io r o f f i c e r ” i s on e

who ho l d s ” a h igh l ev e l o f g en e r a l m an ag e r i a l au tho r i ty in

r e l a t ion to th e n a t u r e and op e r a t ion o f th e emp loy e r ‘ s bu s in e s s . “

6 7 N .Y .2d a t 38 0 , 5 0 2 N .Y .S .2d a t 971 . D r . B r un s i s an a s s i s t an t

p ro f e s s o r and a t t e nd ing phy s i c i an in th e em e rg en cy d ep a r tm en t a t

M t . S i n a i . How ev e r , ev en a s th e h igh e s t l ev e l adm i n i s t r a to r i n

c h a rg e o f L eon a rd M e l f i ‘ s em e rg en cy room c a r e , D r . B run s c anno t

b e con s id e r ed som eon e w i th a ” h igh l ev e l o f g e n e r a l m an ag e r i a l

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au t ho r i ty ” ov e r th e bu s in e s s o f th e en t i r e ho sp i t a l .

S e e e .g . , ~

Mo t t S t r e e t , 33 A .D .3d a t 532 , 8 2 3 N .Y .S .2d a t 376 ( ho l d i ng th a t

a f i e l d r ep r e s en t a t iv e who t e rm in a t ed p l a i n t i f f ‘ s g a s s e r v i c e w a s

no t a m an ag e r o f Con Ed i s on ) .

Fu r t h e r , i t c an no t b e s a id th a t

D r . B ru n s ‘ s and h i s co l l e agu e s ‘ condu c t r e f l e c t s th e ” co rpo r a t e

cu l tu r e l l o r ” in s t i tu t i on a l con s c i en c e l l a s th e ex t en s iv e po l i c i e s

an d p ro c ed u r e s p romu l g a t ed by th e ho sp i t a l exp r e s s ly b e l i e th i s

in f e r en c e .

Sw e r s k y v . D r e y e r and T r aub , 2 19 A .D .2d 321 , 329 , 643

N .Y .S . 2d 33 (1 s t D ep t . 1 99 6 ) .

How ev e r , a t th i s s t ag e in th e p ro c e ed in g s we c anno t ru l e , a s

a m a t t e r o f l aw ,

th a t th e p l a in t i f f h a s f a i l ed to pu t fo r th a

p r im a f a c i e c a s e o f g ro s s n eg l ig en c e and pun i t iv e d am ag e s ag a in s t

M t . S in a i con c e rn ing m e d i c a l m a lp r a c t i c e . G i v e n th e p a u c i ty o f

ev id en c e p r e s en t ed by th e ho sp i t a l

in th e cou r s e o f d i s cov e ry ,

th e p l a in t i f f h a s a t l e a s t r a i s e d a t r i a b l e i s s u e o f f a c t

in th i s

r eg a rd .

A c co rd in g ly ,

th e o rd e r o f th e S u p r em e Cou r t , New Y o rk Coun ty

( J o an B . C a r e y , J . ) , en t e r ed May 5 , 2008 , wh i ch ,

to th e ex t en t

app e a l e d f rom a s l im i t ed by th e b r i e f s , d en i ed th e mo t ion by

d e f end an t HHC to d i sm i s s th e c a u s e o f a c t i on fo r lo s s o f

s epu l c h e r and th e mo t ion by d e f end an t Moun t S in a i to s t r ik e

p l a in t i f f ‘ s d em and s f o r pu n i t i v e d am ag e s r e l a t ed to th e c l a im s o f

m a lp r a c t i c e and lo s s o f s epu l c h e r , and g r a n t ed p l a in t i f f ‘ s mo t ion

29

to am end t h e com p l a in t to p l e ad a c au s e o f a c t ion fo r g ro s s

n eg l ig en c e and r e l a t e d pun i t i v e d am ag e s a g a in s t M o un t S in a i

in

conn e c t io n w i t h t h e m a lp r a c t i c e c l a im , sh o u ld b e m od i f i e d , on th e

l aw , Mo un t S in a i ‘ s mo t i on to s t r ik e p l a in t i f f ‘ s d em and fo r

pun i t iv e d am ag e s in conn e c t ion w i th th e lo s s o f s ep u l ch e r c l a im

g r an t ed , and o th e rw i s e a f f i rm ed , w i thou t co s t s .

A l l con cu r .

TH IS CONSTITUTES THE DEC IS ION AND ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE D IV IS ION , F IRST DEPARTMENT.

ENTERED: APR IL 28 , 2009

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