Adrian
Patrick Roy Vereb, the owner of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, has been arrested following allegations of defrauding pet owners out of more than $650,000 across multiple Pennsylvania counties.Suspected of stealing funds paid for pet burial and cremation services, clients received ashes of unknown animals while their pets were reportedly discarded in landfills. The investigation revealed that at least 6,500 victims were impacted across Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Vereb, 70, surrendered on Monday and was charged with multiple felony counts, including **theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and engaging in deceptive business practices**. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
The charges stem from Vereb’s actions between 2021 and 2024, where he allegedly collected **$657,517 in fees** from pet owners who were promised private cremation services for their beloved pets. These families were provided with ashes that did not belong to their pets, resulting in emotional distress and a breach of trust. “This case is disturbing and will cause devastation and heartache for many Pennsylvanians. Our pets are members of our families, and this defendant betrayed those who entrusted him to provide dignified services,” stated Attorney General Sunday.
Eternity Pet Memorial reportedly received pets either directly from owners or through local veterinary clinics. Numerous animal hospitals, rescues, and other businesses expressed their shock and solidarity with affected families following the announcement. Helping Hearts & Healing Tails Animal Rescue shared a heartfelt Facebook post, describing the situation as a “betrayal of trust” and vowing to fight for justice on behalf of the impacted families.
In contrast, some businesses reassured their clients that they had no involvement with Eternity Pet Memorial. Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc. and East Suburban Animal Hospital clarified that they did not use the services of the accused facility and condemned the alleged actions as “abhorrent.”
To aid victims, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has established a dedicated website where impacted individuals can submit their information, share victim impact statements, and receive updates on the case. Patrick Roy Vereb’s next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
**Source:** [Pennsylvania Attorney General Press Release](https://www.attorneygeneral.gov)
