A casket was discovered outside of a funeral home in the South Bronx Saturday, sparking panic among neighbors.

It happened on East 149th Street in front of La Paz Funeral Service.

News 12 was there as police and emergency crews responded to the scene and opened the casket. There was nothing inside.

The casket appeared to be brand new, with clear packaging on the outside.

The funeral service location was closed, and it had been when the casket was dropped off -- so it's possible that a delivery was made when there was no one present to accept it. A steel roll-down security gate indicated that the establishment was closed.

The incident was disturbing to many neighbors, especially amid the coronavirus crisis.

News 12 reached out to La Paz for comment and is awaiting a response.