A heartbreaking farewell took a shocking turn as a grieving family fell into an open grave during a burial ceremony in Philadelphia. The incident, caught on camera, has sparked outrage and demands for accountability.

Philadelphia: A funeral ceremony at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia turned into a traumatic ordeal when several members of a grieving family fell into the grave alongside the coffin of their deceased loved one. The startling moment was captured on video and has since gone viral, garnering over 6.6 million views on social media.

The incident occurred during the burial of Benjamin Aviles, who passed away on March 21 due to a heart-related illness. As the family lowered the casket into the grave on Friday, the ground reportedly gave way or was inadequately prepared—causing the pallbearers and several relatives to fall into the open grave.

Among the most seriously affected was Aviles’ son, also named Benjamin, who was reportedly trapped beneath the coffin and lost consciousness. "The casket was on top of him, and his face was buried in the mud," said Maribelle Rodriguez, the deceased’s stepdaughter, speaking to ABC6. Multiple family members suffered injuries to their legs, hands, and backs.

Family Blames Cemetery and Funeral Home

The family has expressed deep frustration and anger over the incident, holding both the cemetery and the funeral home responsible. They are now demanding an official apology and financial compensation for the physical and emotional trauma caused.

“This was supposed to be a respectful goodbye, but it turned into a nightmare,” said Rodriguez.

Viral Outrage on Social Media

The video of the accident was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by user @CollinRugg and quickly went viral, triggering a wave of shocked reactions. “This is horrifying,” wrote one user, while another added, “This incident is beyond tragic—it deepens the grief of an already devastated family.”

As the video continues to circulate, many are questioning the safety protocols and professional standards of the cemetery and funeral service providers involved.