White Dove Funerals launches bid to halt women’s funeral after daughter’s ‘horror story’ claims

THEY just wanted to lay their loved one to rest, but this Victorian family was forced to fight a vicious court battle for their funeral to go ahead.

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A DISGRUNTLED funeral director has failed in a bid to halt a funeral planned for 4pm today after an angry client slammed his business on Facebook.

White Dove Funerals Care director Ian Gibson took urgent legal action to stop the funeral of Michelle Appleton today because of a Facebook post by her daughter Nicole.

But a devastated Ms Appleton told the Herald Sun this afternoon that she was given no notice of the extraordinary application.

“He abused her body and ruined her funeral,” Ms Appleton said.

“He almost broke her bones and didn’t honour any of her wishes, and left her with two black eyes.”

The company’s website notes that Mr Gibson has 29 years’ experience in the industry. Picture: Supplied.

The service was planned to be held at the Bunurong Memorial Park.

In an angry Facebook post Ms Appleton said her mum, 42, had organised her funeral before passing away on November 14.

And she accused White Dove Funerals Care of botching plans for the service.

The court heard Ms Appleton’s daughter Nicole used social media to slam Mr Gibson’s business, alleging his company had used the wrong coffin and left her mum with black eyes.

In her Facebook post Ms Appleton said she had paid $8000 to White Dove Funerals but that the funeral had turned into a “horror story”.

“The flowers he arranged were delivered 5 days prior and are dying already with the funeral still 3 days away,” she posted.

“The coffin was tiny and I would be amazed if they haven’t broken her bones jamming her in there she now also has two black eyes and they threw her clothes on top of her didn’t even dress her.”

Mr Gibson, who denied the allegations, asked the court to halt the cremation of Ms Appleton and grant access to her body so he could clear his name.

He also asked for the court to order the coroner to examine Ms Appleton’s body.

He said after 25 years in the business his good name had been destroyed.

But Victorian Supreme Court judge Justice Kim Hargrave refused the application, in part because no notice had been given to the Appleton family.

He said it was also significant that the funeral was scheduled for 4pm.

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Originally published as White Dove Funerals launches bid to halt women’s funeral after daughter’s ‘horror story’ claims