A California family is mourning the loss of a loved one all over again. Imagine visiting your mother’s grave every holiday, placing flowers with care, saying heartfelt prayers, and even decorating for Christmas—only to find out you’ve been doing it all at the wrong spot. That’s the heartbreaking reality for the Demirchyan family, who just learned that their beloved mother, Hasmik Demirchyan, was buried in a different plot than the one they had been visiting for the past four years.
Now, the California-based family is suing Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills for emotional distress after what can only be described as a devastating mix-up.
The shocking discovery came in April during another tragic moment: the funeral of Hasmik’s husband, Avetis Demirchyan. According to their son, Chris Demirchyan, it was during that service that a mortician quietly pulled him aside and broke the news. Hasmik’s headstone had been placed in “space 1,” but her remains were actually buried in “space 2,” just one plot to the right.
“I feel betrayed because we have been speaking to an empty plot,” Chris told KTLA. “All those times we put down flowers, we prayed, we came for holidays, we even put up a decorated Christmas tree – it was the wrong space.”
Can you imagine the emotional whiplash? You’re already dealing with the loss of one parent, and suddenly you’re told that every tearful visit to your mother’s grave was at the wrong place. It’s enough to make anyone feel sick.
California Family Suing Cemetery After Mother Was Buried In The Wrong Grave
Forest Lawn has since corrected the error by moving Hasmik’s headstone to the proper location. But for the Demirchyans, it’s not just about a corrected mistake. It’s about the emotional damage done over years of unknowing misplacement.
“While we appreciate Forest Lawn for taking appropriate action to correct their error right after they discovered it, it still is inexcusable because this would not have come to light if my client hadn’t suffered another loss,” said Rosie Zilifyan, the family’s attorney.
The lawsuit doesn’t name a specific dollar amount in damages, but the family insists that their main goal is to prevent other families from experiencing the same nightmare. And really, who could blame them?
“They think saying sorry and moving it makes up for what was four years of mourning that we did, and we’re still grieving,” said Hasmik’s grandson, George Eskichyan. “This adds an extra layer of hurt and pain.”
It’s hard not to be furious on their behalf. Cemeteries are supposed to be sacred, final resting places—not scenes of clerical chaos. While everyone makes mistakes, this kind of oversight is more than just a slip-up. It’s four years of misplaced grief and confusion.
Forest Lawn Cemetery has yet to comment, and as of now, the cemetery has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit.
In the meantime, the Demirchyan family continues to mourn not just the loss of their loved one, but the lost moments and emotional toll that came with this deeply painful mistake. Hopefully, the California family’s story sparks necessary changes and safeguards in an industry that deals with people’s most fragile moments.
Sofia Bassett 
Emma Taylor 
Joshua Dale 
