A UK-based comedian has publicly condemned a South African funeral service, alleging that his family’s grief was compounded by what he describes as a “nightmare” burial for his mother-in-law. Craig Caldwell, who traveled from the UK for the funeral of Mrs. Elsa Botes on July 12, claims that Doves Funeral Services in the Vaal failed to provide basic care and dignity for the deceased.
“She Looked Like a Ghoul” – Family’s Horror
Caldwell recounted the traumatic moment the family opened the casket, expecting a prepared body, only to find their loved one wrapped in plastic with no embalming or cosmetic preparation.
“You expect to see your mother prepared, but instead, she was wrapped in plastic. They hadn’t combed her hair, closed her mouth, or even shut her eyes,” Caldwell said. “She looked like something out of a scary movie.”
The family also accused the funeral home of poor communication, with Caldwell claiming the coordinator blamed them for issues, including an unpaid invoice and difficulty locating the church—without ever offering an apology.
Funeral Home Denies Neglect, Alleges Racial Abuse
Doves Funeral Services manager, Lebohang Rasenyalo, disputed the allegations, stating that the company went “above and beyond” for the family, securing discounts and arranging last-minute cremation and viewing services.
Rasenyalo claimed that communication broke down due to “vulgar language and racial slurs” from Caldwell and his wife—an accusation the comedian vehemently denies.
“The race card is being used as a ‘get out of accountability jail’ card,” Caldwell fired back. “This has nothing to do with race—it’s about piss-poor service.”
No Refund in Sight
The funeral home insists no refund will be issued, arguing that the service was never fully paid for and that costs (including the coffin, fuel, and staff) were still incurred.
In a statement to Newsroom Africa, Doves CEO expressed regret over the incident, confirming that the matter has been escalated to the franchise owner for investigation and corrective action.
Meanwhile, Caldwell and his family remain adamant that the funeral home must take responsibility. “They should hold their hands up and say, ‘We got this wrong,’” he said.
As both sides stand firm, the dispute highlights the emotional and ethical complexities surrounding end-of-life services—and the devastating impact when things go awry.