They thought their beloved pets would be treated with care and respect.
Pet Cremation Scam in Pittsburgh: Over 6,500 Families Betrayed by Funeral Home Owner
What was meant to be a peaceful goodbye has become a heartbreaking betrayal for thousands of grieving pet owners in Pittsburgh. A shocking scandal has surfaced involving Eternity Pet Memorials, where its owner, 70-year-old Patrick Roy Vereb, is accused of orchestrating a large-scale cremation fraud scheme that authorities say affected over 6,500 victims and involved more than $650,000 in stolen funds.
Promises of Compassion, Allegations of Deceit
Between 2021 and 2024, Vereb allegedly deceived families into believing their beloved pets were receiving dignified cremations and respectful memorial services. Instead, investigators say, he dumped thousands of animals in a landfill and returned ashes from other, unidentified animals to unsuspecting pet owners.
“Instead of proper cremations, burials, and returning the ashes to customers, he took thousands of pets to a landfill,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday Jr. in a statement to NBC. “Thousands of grieving owners who thought they were receiving their pet’s ashes were actually given ashes from other, unknown animals.”
Internal Whistleblowers Spark Investigation
The alleged scheme unraveled when employees at Vereb’s funeral business began noticing serious discrepancies. According to the criminal complaint, staff grew concerned that the number of animals being received was far greater than the number of actual cremations being performed.
Eventually, Vereb confessed to misleading customers, according to court documents. “Vereb reluctantly agreed that pet owners were not always getting their specific pets’ actual ashes back,” investigators wrote.
Vereb turned himself in on Monday and was arraigned on multiple felony charges. He was released without bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 9.
Community Outrage and Support
The scandal has sparked outrage and grief across Pittsburgh, with rescue organizations and local animal hospitals expressing horror and compassion.
Helping Hearts & Healing Tails Animal Rescue posted on Facebook:
“To every family devastated by Eternity Pet Memorial — we are navigating this disaster with you, as several of our rescue dogs had gone there… You are not alone. We share your anger. We honor your love.”
Meanwhile, Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc. and East Suburban Animal Hospital issued statements distancing themselves from Vereb’s services, affirming they had no connection to Eternity Pet Memorials.
A Deep Betrayal of Trust
“This is not just a mistake. It’s a betrayal of trust,” said one local pet owner who used Eternity’s services. That sentiment was echoed by Attorney General Sunday:
“As a pet owner myself, I can’t imagine the heartbreak involved in learning that you are affected by a crime like this. My office will work to bring those responsible to justice for this heartless crime.”
The Attorney General’s office has since launched a website where victims can submit information and sign up for case updates.
A Call for Accountability
The alleged crimes committed by Patrick Vereb go far beyond financial fraud — they represent a violation of the emotional bond between pet owners and their animals, and the trust placed in memorial service providers.
As this case develops and the full scale of the betrayal comes into view, one question remains front and center:
How should we hold accountable those who exploit grief for profit — and what justice is owed to the thousands of families forever impacted by this cruelty?
