California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Companion Rights Upheld by Court

A man who sued after the ashes of his longtime companion were scattered at sea in a Christian service--against the wishes of both men--is entitled to collect damages, an appellate court said. The state appeals court affirmed jury awards to the dead man’s mother, sister and companion, rejecting an appeal by the defendant, Jongordon Corp. Jongordon, former owner of the Neptune Society, had argued that Patrick Hinrichsen was not entitled to recover damages for emotional distress because he was not related to Robert Saari, the dead man. The appeal also said the awards, amounting to $242,500 for all three, were excessive. Hinrichsen’s attorney, Tom Steel, said the case “vindicates the rights of unrelated survivors, whether they’re lovers or close friends.”