How do I file a complaint against a cemetery in Illinois?
If you have questions regarding funeral purchases or complaints relating to cemeteries, funeral directors, or pre-need purchases and crematories, please contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at www.idfpr.com.
Who is responsible for the maintenance of cemeteries?
The family which owns the Deed of Grant is responsible for the grave maintenance, subject to the rules of the authority which owns the cemetery and looks after the grounds. Some cemeteries can have quite strict regulations about things people are permitted to do and what is expected of them.
Who oversees a graveyard?
A state may regulate the location of cemeteries through the exercise of its police power by statute directly regulating the location of cemeteries. In California, see Laurel Hill Cemetery v. San Francisco, 216 U.S. 358 (U.S. 1910).
Can I sell my cemetery plot in Illinois?
The cemetery may buy the plot back from you, but they are not required to do so. You may, however, pass the plot on to a family member or sell it to an outside party. If you sell to an outside party, expect the cemetery to charge a transfer fee of no less than $25.
Can you be buried on your own property in Illinois?
Can You Bury a Body at Home? There are no laws in Illinois that prohibit home burial. Before burying a body on private land or establishing a family cemetery, be sure to check local zoning rules.
How do I complain about a funeral director?
If your complaint is about a funeral director rather than a funeral plan we suggest you contact one of the two main funeral director trade bodies – National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
Do funeral directors have a governing body?
Is There a Governing Body? The National Association of Funeral Directors serves the profession, but subscription to the NAFD is entirely voluntary. If someone does something against their Code of Practice, they just get a fine.
Can anyone clean gravestones?
Answer: Yes. You must obtain permission from 1) the property owner to enter the cemetery itself if you must cross private land to access the cemetery, and 2) the Trustees of the cemetery to do any work with a gravestone (such as cleaning) or within the cemetery (such as brush removal).
What does it mean when a grave sinks in?
What is grave subsidence? Grave subsidence refers to the appearance of graves ‘sinking’. This is an entirely natural process caused by loosened soil settling into place and the natural process of the coffin collapsing overtime.