House of Wills sets the record straight

THE EDITOR, Madam:

IT WAS brought to our attention that there is a video/voice note being circulated on social media containing a false claim regarding House of Wills, an unfortunate circumstance of the death of a Mr Linton (Sonny) Henry, who, it is claimed, had passed away recently in New York. The originator of the social media post claimed that the above-mentioned person died of COVID-19, that the body was sent to Jamaica and was consigned to House of Wills, and that the Jamaican authorities are not aware of the transaction. It is further alleged that House of Wills collected large sums of cash to hide this information from the Government.

House of Wills and its managing director categorically deny that it has been involved in any such transaction, and is unaware that any such transaction took place. We can categorically state that the remains of no one bearing that name, or who purportedly died of any such cause, was consigned to us.

We also wish to further state that we have never been in contact, either formally or informally, with anyone in this regard, nor have we authorised anyone to do so on our behalf. We have not collected any funds from anyone pertaining to this transaction.

We have cooperated fully in the investigation by the police, which resulted from this defamatory publication, and will provide any further support needed to the police in order to get to the truth surrounding this dangerous allegation.

FOLLOWS JA’S LAWS

House of Wills follows the laws and regulations of Jamaica, and the established protocols for the proper and safe conduct of the business which we operate, and there are precise steps that we would have been required to followed should any such transaction be proffered to our company.

We are certified internationally, for over 40 years, and are members of the National Funeral Directors Association, USA, as well as the Jamaica Association of Certified Embalmers and Funeral Directors, and remain in good standing.

It is NOT a policy of House of Wills to reward any organisation, individual, agent or third party, under any circumstances, acting as funeral service brokers. House of Wills is owned and operated by Patrick A. Williams and has no other branches.

We have sought legal advice and will be taking the necessary actions to have this matter resolved. Therefore, we are using this medium to advise the individual, or individuals, who created the publication or are associated with its dissemination – which seeks to tarnish the public goodwill held by House of Wills and to defame its directors – to cease forthwith and desist from this mischievous and damaging campaign.

PATRICK A. WILLIAMS Denbigh, Clarendon