California says Neptune Society bilked cremation customers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s attorney general is suing Neptune Society, claiming the well-known company pocketed $100 million that it should have kept in reserve for those who signed up for its prepaid cremation service plans.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and three county prosecutors alleged Monday that as a result, many customers failed to get their full refunds if they canceled their contracts.

The suit also says the company falsely claimed to use its own crematoriums when in fact it contracted with others.

Beth Dombrowa, a spokeswoman for Neptune and its parent company, Texas-based Service Corporation International, said she could not immediately comment.

The company is North America’s largest provider of funeral services.

The suit says it failed to hold in trust more than $100 million customers paid for the cremation plans.