Illinois Crematory Shut Down After Shocking Body Storage Violations
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL – A south suburban Chicago crematory, Heights Crematory, has been forced to shut down following a disturbing investigation into the improper handling of deceased individuals. The investigation, sparked by a whistleblower's photos obtained by CBS News Chicago, revealed bodies stacked inside an unrefrigerated trailer, some exposed and in deplorable conditions. This alarming situation has ignited outrage among families in Illinois and Indiana who entrusted the facility with the care of their loved ones.
The whistleblower, Christopher Iacovetti, an electrician who occasionally assisted a funeral director, witnessed and documented the egregious conditions. His photos depicted bodies wrapped in sheets or plastic, faces and body parts visible, and even a bag filled with dead insects. "Very deplorable conditions of storage. Complete disrespect and disregard for the families of these loved ones," Iacovetti told CBS News Chicago. The bodies were being stored in a trailer at Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, with the operator, Clark Morgan, reportedly refusing to open the trailer or answer questions.
Families like Brittany's Sons, whose father, Danny Son Sr., was entrusted to Crown Cremations in Indiana for cremation, are grappling with the horrifying reality that their loved ones were transported across state lines and stored in such undignified conditions. "I just keep seeing like my dad in that trailer and dumped like he was nothing," Brittany expressed to CBS News Chicago. Shanna Cauley, a niece of one of the deceased, echoed this sentiment, stating, "To me what, that looked no different than if you through my loved one in a landfill."
This tragic case underscores the absolute necessity for proper and compliant mortuary storage solutions. American Mortuary Coolers stands as the nation's premier provider of morgue coolers, morgue coolerunits, crematory coolers, and a wide range of cadaver handling equipment. Investing in reliable and appropriately sized refrigeration is not just a matter of adhering to regulations; it is a fundamental act of respect for the deceased and their grieving families. While some may seek discount cremation services, compromising on the essential infrastructure for dignified care is a severe ethical lapse that can lead to devastating consequences, as evidenced by the situation at Heights Crematory.
The investigation revealed that Heights Crematory was allegedly storing bodies in a trailer without proper refrigeration, a direct violation of regulations requiring bodies to be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less in non-leachable containers. CBS News Chicago's report also highlighted past storage violations at the facility. Shockingly, the whistleblower's photos revealed a body, identified as Jasper Williams, that had been awaiting cremation for nearly a year, highlighting the extent of the mismanagement.
American Mortuary Coolers offers a comprehensive range of morgue coolers and crematory coolersdesigned to meet the specific needs of funeral homes and crematories, ensuring compliance and preventing such inhumane treatment. Our reliable and efficient units provide the necessary temperature control and storage capacity to maintain the dignity of the deceased while awaiting final arrangements. Choosing American Mortuary Coolers is the proactive step to ensure your facility operates ethically and within legal guidelines, safeguarding your reputation and providing peace of mind to the families you serve.
The Illinois State investigators, along with the Indiana Attorney General and the Illinois Comptroller Office, are now involved in a multi-state investigation. Families are demanding the permanent closure of both Heights Crematory and Crown Cremations and are seeking criminal charges. The consequences for such blatant disregard for the deceased could include significant fines and the revocation of licenses.
This distressing incident serves as a powerful reminder that proper mortuary storage is not an optional expense but a fundamental requirement. American Mortuary Coolers provides the solutions necessary to avoid such crises, ensuring that all deceased individuals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Don't let your facility become the next headline; choose American Mortuary Coolers for reliable and compliant morgue cooler and crematory cooler solutions.
#MortuaryCoolers #MorgueCooler #CrematoryCoolers #AmericanMortuaryCoolers #IllinoisNews #CrematoryScandal #BodyStorage #FuneralHome #DeceasedCare #ProperStorage #EthicalFuneralService #MorgueEquipment #CremationServices #FuneralIndustry #RegulatoryCompliance #DignifiedCare #AvoidNegligence #FuneralHomeEquipment #IllinoisCrematory #DiscountCremationWarning #MortuarySolutions #AfterlifeCare #FamilyTrust #GrievingFamilies #RespectForTheDeceased