HARRISBURG, PA — The owner of a prominent funeral home in Pittsburgh has been charged with multiple felonies in connection to an alleged scheme that defrauded thousands of pet owners seeking burial and cremation services for their beloved animals. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week that Patrick Vereb, 70, owner of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is accused of stealing more than $650,000 from customers between 2021 and 2024.
According to investigators, Vereb promised grieving pet owners dignified services, including private cremations and the return of their pets’ ashes. However, it is alleged that he betrayed their trust by disposing of many of the animals in a landfill while providing customers with ashes that belonged to other, unknown sources.
The Office of Attorney General has charged Vereb with felony counts of theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and deceptive business practices. On Monday, Vereb surrendered to authorities and was subsequently arraigned on the charges. He has been released on his own recognizance pending further legal proceedings.
An extensive investigation revealed more than 6,500 victims spanning across Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The funds allegedly collected from customers totaled $657,517, with many victims referring animals directly to Eternity Pet Memorial or through local veterinary practices.
“This case is disturbing and will cause devastation and heartache for many Pennsylvanians,” Attorney General Sunday stated. “Our pets are members of our families, and this defendant betrayed and agonized pet owners who entrusted him to provide dignified services for their beloved cats and dogs. I commend our investigative team for a comprehensive review of voluminous records which uncovered this long-running pattern of theft and deception.”
To address the scale of potential victims, the Office of Attorney General has launched a dedicated webpage to engage with affected consumers. Through the site, victims can share their contact information and impact statements, confirm their involvement in the case, and receive updates on the criminal proceedings.
The investigation also uncovered that nearly a dozen veterinary practices and businesses assisted authorities by confirming that customers did not receive the ashes of their pets despite paying for private cremation services. Customers placed their trust in Vereb’s business, only to be misled in a scandal that has caused emotional and financial distress.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice and Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry will prosecute the case. Authorities stress that the charges against Vereb are allegations and that he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Further updates on the legal proceedings will be released as the case progresses. Individuals who believe they were victimized are encouraged to utilize the Attorney General’s victim support services to ensure their concerns are addressed.
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