The Illinois comptroller’s workplace has suspended and is transferring to revoke the license of a Chicago Heights crematory on the heart of a state investigation into the mishandling of our bodies, comptroller’s officers stated.
Heights Crematory Inc. had its license suspended Monday after state investigators discovered lots of of packing containers of unclaimed cremated stays on the premises, in addition to a refrigerated container holding 19 our bodies the power had accepted after it had agreed to cease accepting new stays in the course of the state investigation, the comptroller’s workplace stated Monday in a information launch.
The comptroller’s workplace — which oversees privately owned cemeteries, crematories and funeral properties — is now transferring the power’s remaining 10 our bodies to the Prepare dinner County health worker’s workplace and is attempting to reunite different stays with households and discover lacking documentation for every.
“I’m appalled, disgusted and deeply saddened by the disrespect Heights Crematory confirmed to the stays of the deceased, and we’re working swiftly to strip the power of its license,” Comptroller Susana Mendoza stated in a press release. “No household ought to need to marvel what occurred to their beloved one after they move or study a deceased household or buddy wasn’t handled with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve.”
Heights Crematory Inc. declined to talk to a Solar-Instances reporter Monday.
In February, the Illinois Funeral Administrators Affiliation acquired a tip with images exhibiting our bodies in a trailer on the location of Heights Crematory, 230 E. eleventh St., prompting the state investigation, Abdon Pallasch, a spokesperson for comptroller’s workplace, instructed the Solar-Instances final week.
The comptroller’s workplace has cited Heights Crematory for comparable violations after three shock inspections final 12 months. In October, the crematory closed for 4 days to handle ongoing points.
Heights Crematory has been closed for the reason that state’s investigation started Feb. 19, when investigators instructed the power’s house owners that it couldn’t settle for any new circumstances till current ones are accomplished. However operators allegedly continued to soak up extra stays.
Within the ensuing investigation, officers have additionally discovered lots of the stays lacked a number of of the paperwork mandatory for cremation, resembling a signed demise certificates, a signed cremation authorization from subsequent of kin or a cremation allow.
This was decided to, partially, be attributable to funeral administrators dropping off stays with out the correct paperwork or in correct containers, although it was Heights Crematory’s accountability to hunt these out, the comptroller’s workplace stated.
A listening to on Heights’ license revocation will likely be held April 11.
Contributing: Kade Heather
