san antonio tx, October 11, 2025
News Summary
An arbitration ruling has determined that Mission Park Funeral Chapels was not negligent in the handling of Rita Ann Moore’s remains, despite the discovery of maggots during a family viewing. The case was brought forth by Moore’s family, seeking damages for emotional distress. The arbitrator confirmed the maggot presence but found insufficient evidence of negligence on the part of the funeral home. This outcome continues to spotlight regulatory issues within the funeral industry.
San Antonio
Arbitration upholds funeral home after maggot incident during viewing
Arbitration ruled in favor of Mission Park Funeral Chapels, determining no negligent mishandling of Rita Ann Moore’s corpse occurred despite maggots being found during a viewing. The ruling resolves the central negligence claim against the San Antonio funeral home after an arbitration hearing that reviewed evidence about the condition of the remains and the handling procedures used by the funeral home.
The incident involving Rita Ann Moore’s corpse took place on October 19, 2022, shortly after her death on October 6, 2022, at the age of 85. The presence of maggots was confirmed during a family viewing that occurred less than two weeks after the decedent’s death.
Who sued and what they sought
Complaints were made by her daughter, Melissa Braddock, and her two children, who sued Mission Park for up to $1 million in damages. The lawsuit alleged severe emotional distress tied to the discovery at the viewing and blamed the funeral home for mishandling the remains.
Other parties and prior filings
Prior to the arbitration ruling, legal claims were filed against Mission Park and Beyer & Beitel Mortuary Service LLC, which handled the embalming. The separate embalming provider had its own share of allegations connected to the condition of the remains when returned to Mission Park for viewing.
Beyer & Beitel resolved their portion of the complaint out of court earlier in the year. That resolution removed one defendant from the arbitration dispute, leaving the claim against Mission Park to proceed through arbitration and related court filings.
Representation and arbitration findings
San Antonio attorney Jeremy Sloan represented Braddock, expressing disappointment with the outcome of the arbitration. The arbitration record shows both parties presented evidence and testimony about the chain of custody, inspection routines, and embalming procedures.
Arbitrator Paul Drummond confirmed the presence of maggots but concluded Braddock failed to prove negligence by Mission Park. The arbitrator’s ruling found insufficient proof that Mission Park had negligently mishandled the body given the available evidence concerning inspection and transfer from the embalming service.
Allegations and damages claimed
Braddock alleged that her mother’s corpse was not properly inspected upon receiving it from the embalming service. The family’s complaint maintained that an inspection should have detected any decomposition or infestation before a public viewing.
The case against Mission Park involved claims of severe emotional distress due to the alleged maggot incident. Those claims formed the basis for the monetary damages requested in the filings that followed the viewing.
Firm history and related legal matters
Mission Park, run by Kristin Tips and Robert “Dick” Tips, has faced previous legal challenges involving missing bodies and mishandling of remains. The funeral home’s record includes other high-profile claims and jury awards that have drawn public attention and additional legal scrutiny.
Braddock’s children have an ongoing claim against Mission Park in a San Antonio District Court regarding the same incident. That civil court claim remains open even after the arbitration decision resolving the claim addressed in the arbitration process.
Kristin Tips faced public scrutiny over her leadership role within the Texas Funeral Service Commission amid controversies. Those leadership questions intensified focus on oversight and regulation of funeral service providers in the state.
The decision from the arbitration was made public after being filed with the court by Mission Park seeking confirmation. Mission Park submitted the arbitration award to the court as part of routine steps to confirm and make the ruling enforceable.
Other high-profile previous claims against Mission Park include the loss of a body and wrongful burial incidents leading to significant jury awards against the funeral home. Those prior matters have resulted in litigation and appeals, highlighting recurring disputes between grieving families and the funeral provider.
There are claims of mental anguish and pain following the 2020 wrongful burial incident still pending before the Texas Supreme Court. That separate litigation concerns damages alleged after an earlier mishandling incident and remains in the appellate pipeline.
Kristin Tips had sought legislation to limit liability for funeral service providers regarding mental anguish damages, citing perceived vulnerabilities in legal accountability. Legislative efforts by or associated with industry participants have been part of a broader conversation about liability and consumer protection in the funeral services sector.
The situation underlines ongoing concerns within the funeral home industry regarding regulatory oversight and consumer protection. Lawmakers, regulators and consumer advocates continue to evaluate whether current rules, inspection practices and liability frameworks are adequate to protect families and ensure professional standards.
Key facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arbitration outcome | Arbitration ruled in favor of Mission Park Funeral Chapels, determining no negligent mishandling of Rita Ann Moore’s corpse occurred despite maggots being found during a viewing. |
| Incident date | The incident involving Rita Ann Moore’s corpse took place on October 19, 2022, shortly after her death on October 6, 2022, at the age of 85. |
| Plaintiffs | Complaints were made by her daughter, Melissa Braddock, and her two children, who sued Mission Park for up to $1 million in damages. |
| Other defendant | Prior to the arbitration ruling, legal claims were filed against Mission Park and Beyer & Beitel Mortuary Service LLC, which handled the embalming. |
| Beyer & Beitel status | Beyer & Beitel resolved their portion of the complaint out of court earlier in the year. |
| Ongoing court action | Braddock’s children have an ongoing claim against Mission Park in a San Antonio District Court regarding the same incident. |
Timeline
| Date/time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2022 | Death of Rita Ann Moore at age 85 | Reported in legal filings |
| October 19, 2022 | Viewing where maggots were found | Confirmed by arbitrator record |
| Earlier in 2024 (date not specified) | Beyer & Beitel resolved their portion of the complaint out of court earlier in the year. | Settlement reported in case filings |
| 2020 | Wrongful burial incident with claims of mental anguish | Claims still pending before the Texas Supreme Court |
| Date not specified | Arbitration award filed with the court by Mission Park seeking confirmation | Filing made public |
Legal outcomes chart
Simple visual summary of case resolution status (relative counts):
FAQ
What did the arbitration rule?
Arbitration ruled in favor of Mission Park Funeral Chapels, determining no negligent mishandling of Rita Ann Moore’s corpse occurred despite maggots being found during a viewing.
When did the incident occur?
The incident involving Rita Ann Moore’s corpse took place on October 19, 2022, shortly after her death on October 6, 2022, at the age of 85.
Who sued and what damages were sought?
Complaints were made by her daughter, Melissa Braddock, and her two children, who sued Mission Park for up to $1 million in damages.
Who else was named in legal claims?
Prior to the arbitration ruling, legal claims were filed against Mission Park and Beyer & Beitel Mortuary Service LLC, which handled the embalming.
What happened with Beyer & Beitel?
Beyer & Beitel resolved their portion of the complaint out of court earlier in the year.
Who represented Braddock?
San Antonio attorney Jeremy Sloan represented Braddock, expressing disappointment with the outcome of the arbitration.
What did the arbitrator find?
Arbitrator Paul Drummond confirmed the presence of maggots but concluded Braddock failed to prove negligence by Mission Park.
What did Braddock allege about inspection?
Braddock alleged that her mother’s corpse was not properly inspected upon receiving it from the embalming service.
What claims were made against Mission Park?
The case against Mission Park involved claims of severe emotional distress due to the alleged maggot incident.
What is Mission Park’s recent history?
Mission Park, run by Kristin Tips and Robert “Dick” Tips, has faced previous legal challenges involving missing bodies and mishandling of remains.
Are there any ongoing court claims?
Braddock’s children have an ongoing claim against Mission Park in a San Antonio District Court regarding the same incident.
Has Kristin Tips faced scrutiny?
Kristin Tips faced public scrutiny over her leadership role within the Texas Funeral Service Commission amid controversies.
How was the arbitration decision made public?
The decision from the arbitration was made public after being filed with the court by Mission Park seeking confirmation.
Has Mission Park been involved in other high-profile claims?
Other high-profile previous claims against Mission Park include the loss of a body and wrongful burial incidents leading to significant jury awards against the funeral home.
Are there appeals or pending matters related to past incidents?
There are claims of mental anguish and pain following the 2020 wrongful burial incident still pending before the Texas Supreme Court.
Has there been legislative activity related to liability?
Kristin Tips had sought legislation to limit liability for funeral service providers regarding mental anguish damages, citing perceived vulnerabilities in legal accountability.
What larger issue does this situation highlight?
The situation underlines ongoing concerns within the funeral home industry regarding regulatory oversight and consumer protection.
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Additional Resources
- Express News – San Antonio South Side Cemetery
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Express News – Mission Park Funeral Home Maggot Incident
- Google Search: Mission Park Funeral Home
- Tukios Obituary Portal
- Google Scholar: Maggot Incident in Funeral Home
- Tukios Website – Funeral Services
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Funeral Industry Regulations
- Schertz Funeral Home – Arlene Walker Obituary
- Google News: San Antonio Funeral Home Incidents
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