Illinois Crematorium Permanently Closed Following Investigation
On Thursday, Illinois authorities shut down a crematorium in Chicago after whistleblowers brought to light serious issues, including the discovery of human bodies in malfunctioning coolers.
The Heights Crematory’s license was revoked following a month-long investigation which revealed alarming misconduct. In February, investigators found at least 19 bodies stored inside a broken refrigeration trailer at a suburban funeral home, as stated by state director Susana Mendoza.
“The practical impact of this decision is that Heights and its owners will no longer be able to operate crematoriums in Illinois,” Mendoza said in a statement.
This troubling situation came to public attention when a whistleblower reported that the crematorium was not properly caring for the bodies it was obligated to handle, as highlighted by a local CBS News crew earlier this year.
In addition to the bodies found in the faulty refrigerated unit, investigators noted another group of six to seven bodies piled on the main floor of the crematorium, awaiting cremation.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office indicated that more than 500 boxes of ashes from Heights Crematorium have not reached the families of the deceased.
Mendoza expressed her dismay during the preliminary investigation, stating she felt “appalled, disgusted, and deeply saddened” by what was discovered regarding the treatment of the deceased.
She raised a poignant question in March: “When you look at these photos, do our pets receive better treatment in death than these individuals?”
“These are people, after all. They were someone’s loved ones, and witnessing them treated in such an undignified manner is something I find deeply troubling,” she added.
The Heights Cremation had previously been temporarily closed, with the owners expected to appear at a hearing on June 24 to discuss the future of the facility.
However, the hearing was canceled following the Commissioner’s order to close the crematorium permanently. Mendoza explained to CBS that such action was unprecedented, but necessary given the findings of the investigation.
Representatives of Heights Crematorium could not be reached for comment immediately.
