A solemn funeral ceremony for a beloved family man took a devastating turn when a group of pallbearers fell into a grave while attempting to lower the casket of Benjamin Aviles, a 66-year-old Philadelphia resident who passed away suddenly on March 21 from heart complications.
The tragic incident unfolded at Greenmount Cemetery in North Philadelphia and was captured on video by family members hoping to document Benjamin’s final farewell. Instead, the footage revealed a terrifying scene that left several men injured and a family traumatized.
The video begins with the pallbearers solemnly carrying Benjamin’s coffin from the hearse to the burial site. As they carefully position the casket over the grave, placing it atop support straps, the platform beneath them suddenly buckles. In a split second, the structure collapses—sending the pallbearers tumbling into the grave alongside the heavy casket.
Chaos ensues as mourners scream and rush forward. Some of the men are seen pinned under the weight of the coffin, struggling to move amid the mud and debris. One of the worst injuries was sustained by Benjamin’s own son, who had been helping lower his father’s body into the ground.
“The casket lay on top of him, and he was out like a light with his face in the mud,” said Maribelle Rodriguez, Benjamin’s stepdaughter, in an emotional interview with ABC6. “It was just a horrible incident that happened at a bad moment.”
Maribelle described the burial platform as visibly unstable even before the accident. “The whole thing was trembling. It was wobbly, the wood was all wet and soaked,” she said. “It should never have happened. It’s disrespectful. I think they should apologize, and there should be some reimbursement. The whole ceremony was ruined—nothing was done properly.”
Fortunately, none of the pallbearers sustained life-threatening injuries, though several suffered bruises and strains to their legs, backs, and hands. All are expected to recover fully.
The family is now demanding accountability from both the cemetery and the funeral home, arguing that negligence and poor maintenance were to blame for the incident. No official response has yet been issued by either party.
Despite the painful mishap, the Aviles family continues to honor Benjamin’s memory with love and reverence. Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, Benjamin moved to North Philadelphia, where he built a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and kindness.
His obituary described him as “a man of many talents,” particularly gifted in auto repair. “Entirely self-taught, there wasn’t a car problem he couldn’t fix,” it read. He was also a devoted sports fan, especially of boxing and football, and found joy in traveling with his wife and spending time with his family.
“Benji was a devoted husband, a loving father to his son, a caring father figure to his stepdaughters, a treasured grandfather to his four grandchildren, and a dear friend to many,” the obituary continued. “He was a man of great integrity, strength, and endless love for his family. His kindness, generosity, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew him.”
Though his funeral was marred by an unforgettable mishap, Benjamin’s family remains focused on celebrating the life he lived and the love he gave. “Though his absence leaves a void, his memory will forever live on in the stories we share and the love he gave so freely,” the tribute concluded.
