By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A Restland Funeral Home employee in Dallas was fatally crushed by a concrete burial vault while working, prompting accusations of gross negligence. The victim, Angel Rojas, was moving vaults when one fell, pinning him to the ground, and he tragically died later at a hospital. The family’s attorneys allege that the funeral home was negligent by allowing Rojas to operate heavy machinery alone. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Read the original article here
Funeral home worker dies after being crushed by concrete burial vault, a truly tragic event, highlights the inherent dangers of this often-overlooked profession. It’s a job that requires specific skills, not “unskilled” as some corporate entities might label it to justify low wages. As one might imagine, handling these massive concrete structures, often in challenging field conditions, is far from simple. There are so many variables at play.
This incident, although rare, underscores a critical point: the potential for catastrophic accidents. The stories shared portray a grim reality, with one individual mentioning twenty years in the field as a vault installer, highlighting the inherent risks involved. A lack of adequate leadership, particularly when it comes to crew size and training, often contributes to these tragedies, especially when a worker is left to do it all alone. A single worker trying to move these heavy vaults faces significantly increased risks.
The poignant moment of the worker texting his wife, expressing a desire to “go home,” is especially heartbreaking. The thought of a family member’s final words before such a tragedy is difficult to bear. It really drives home the emotional cost of such an event, which leaves behind a grieving widow and a family in turmoil. It makes you wonder what was going through his head in those final moments.
The emotional toll is compounded when we consider the potential for financial compensation for the widow. It’s a question of whether the family will receive the support and financial stability they need. You can’t help but wonder if the accident was avoidable and if the funeral home had taken adequate precautions. It seems like a situation where safety protocols may have been disregarded, leading to a preventable accident.
The pressure of deadlines in the funeral industry is another contributing factor. The emphasis on speed to accommodate funeral processions and the stress of time constraints can lead to cutting corners on safety. Everything in funeral services can feel like a rush, and that can be a breeding ground for mistakes. This constant pressure to expedite the process, combined with inadequate resources, is a recipe for disaster.
The role of management and the responsibility they bear for creating a safe work environment cannot be overstated. When management pushes workers into unsafe conditions, they are directly contributing to the likelihood of an accident. The worker deserved better. They deserved to be safe while performing their job.
The very nature of burial work is challenging, with the terrain and environmental factors adding to the complexity. In areas like Louisiana, where much of the land is swampy, burials come with additional challenges. The need for vaults in such conditions becomes particularly apparent, as they prevent the creation of cavities and potential ground collapses. It makes you think about how all the decaying organic matter interacts with the soil and conditions.
Vaults also serve an important function by preventing the casket from being crushed. There’s also the practical consideration of potential future exhumation, making sure the contents remain intact. The vault plays a vital role in preserving the integrity of the burial site. They are not just about aesthetics, but about practical preservation and safety.
The contrast between burial practices in different parts of the world also becomes apparent. Cremation is common in many places, and it bypasses some of the problems associated with traditional burials. Some Asian countries often favor cremation, while in other regions, more traditional burial methods with wooden caskets are still common. The cost, however, can also vary drastically, with cremation potentially being more expensive in some locations.
The importance of recognizing that the job of a funeral home worker and especially vault installers requires significant skill and expertise, is undeniable. Despite this, some companies inaccurately label it as “unskilled,” using this label to justify lower wages. This is a practice that needs to change, as it devalues the critical work and endangers those who perform it.