CHICAGO HEIGHTS — A crematory in the south suburbs has been permanently shut down by state regulators following disturbing allegations of improperly storing dozens of human bodies, including some stacked in trailers without documentation.
Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Thursday that Heights Crematory, located at 230 E. 11th St. in Chicago Heights, has had its license revoked permanently through a formal consent order.
“The practical effect of this order is that Heights and its owners will never operate a crematorium in the state of Illinois again,” Mendoza said in a public statement.
State Investigation Uncovers Concealed Trailer of Bodies
The shutdown follows a months-long investigation that began in February when the Illinois Funeral Directors Association received a tip along with photographs showing bodies stored in a trailer on the crematory’s premises.
Investigators from the comptroller’s office discovered that bodies were:
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Being stored in non-operational refrigerated trailers
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Stacked on top of one another
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Not placed in proper containers
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Missing necessary documentation, causing delays in cremations
The crematory had also concealed an additional trailer containing 19 more bodies, including remains transported from Indiana. Despite an agreement to stop accepting bodies as of February 19, Heights Crematory allegedly continued receiving remains afterward.
Families Left in Limbo
With operations now shut down, 10 uncremated bodies and hundreds of unclaimed cremated remains have been transferred to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Dr. Ponni Arunkumar’s office is working closely with state officials to identify remains and notify families.
“Our office immediately shut down Heights and worked with staff to properly store bodies and complete the required paperwork so that the bodies could be cremated,” Mendoza noted.
What Went Wrong?
Part of the issue stemmed from funeral directors delivering bodies that were:
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Not in sealed containers
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Missing proper legal documentation
This breakdown in basic protocols caused widespread confusion and raised serious questions about oversight and funeral industry practices in the region.
Implications for Illinois Funeral Standards
This case has reignited concerns about funeral service regulation and storage practices statewide. Mendoza’s office emphasized that the state will continue to crack down on facilities that violate ethical and procedural standards for handling human remains.
What You Should Know If You’ve Used Heights Crematory
If your loved one’s remains were handled by Heights Crematory, you can:
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Contact the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to check if remains were transferred there.
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Reach out to your funeral provider for documentation or cremation status updates.
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Follow updates from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office regarding next steps or new guidance.
Have you or someone you know used Heights Crematory for a loved one? Share your experience or questions in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice may help others seeking closure.
