In a dispute that echoes with the pain of a family's legacy and the solemnity of their final wishes, the parents of actor Josh Gad, renowned for voicing Olaf in Disney's "Frozen," are taking legal action against a South Florida cemetery. Alleging that an grave space intended for their eternal rest was wrongfully sold twice, Stanton Schwartz and Susan Gad Schwartz have filed a lawsuit against Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, as reported by Local 10.
According to the lawsuit, the couple had previously arranged to be laid to rest next to one another and alongside Susan Schwartz’s parents, Holocaust survivors Evelyn and Joseph Greenblat. The discovery of Stanton Schwartz's plot—previously bought and paid for—now occupied by the remains of another, has left the family in turmoil. "Mrs. Schwartz is especially heartbroken that she is unable to keep her sacred vow to be together for eternity with her parents in their final resting place," the Schwartzes said in a statement revealed by Local 10. A plot reserved for such a purpose goes beyond a mere transaction—it is pact bound by faith and reverence, a testament to one's heritage and the final symbol of familial unity.
The Schwartz family is represented by civil attorney Cristina Pierson, who underscores the gravity of the situation. "What happened not only interferes with the vow Susan made to her parents but to each other. Other than removing the body in there, it's a disaster for the family," she stated in an interview with CBS Miami. The cemetery's offered solutions have been met with indignation as they keep falling short of restoring the family's desire to remain together even in death. Yet, even if the family wins their legal battle, the question remains—can the peace and finality that this sacred space was supposed to provide ever truly be recaptured?
The response from Eternal Light Memorial Gardens remains measured, prioritizing confidentiality and amicable resolution. "We feel strongly that all client information remains confidential and, accordingly, we are not in a position to discuss any family's concerns. With respect to this matter, we continue our efforts to resolve this matter amicably and resolve the family's concerns," the cemetery commented in a statement to Local 10 and CBS Miami. This careful approach, while prudent from a business standpoint, offers little solace to the Schwartzes, who perceive their family's dignity and final wishes as the items at stake.
