CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — A south suburban crematory at the center of a disturbing investigation has been permanently shut down, state officials announced Thursday, following deeply troubling revelations about the handling of human remains. The decision marks the end of operations for Heights Crematory, a facility whose license has now been formally revoked by the state of Illinois.

According to Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, the facility’s closure is the result of a consent order reached in response to an investigation that uncovered gross malpractice, unethical practices, and unprofessional conduct in how the crematory handled the remains of deceased individuals.

“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 statement issued Thursday.

The Shocking Findings

The state’s investigation began in February 2025, when Mendoza’s office received reports of troubling conditions at the Chicago Heights-based crematory. Upon inspection, state auditors and officials were met with scenes of severe negligence.

Bodies were reportedly being stored in broken refrigerated trailers and coolers, and in many cases, remains were stacked in improper containers without proper identification or documentation. Even more alarming, one trailer — initially undisclosed to auditors — was found to be holding 19 bodies originating from Indiana.

Despite promising to cease intake from that source on February 19, the crematory’s owner allegedly continued accepting bodies, directly violating the crematory’s own statement and further straining already overwhelmed conditions at the facility.

In response, the state took swift action to temporarily shut down Heights Crematory, allowing for proper storage of the deceased and time for staff and officials to catch up on delayed paperwork and cremation processing. However, this temporary measure would soon turn into a permanent closure as the extent of the facility’s mismanagement became clear.

Accountability and Responsibility

Although some funeral homes contributed to cremation delays — by dropping off bodies without necessary paperwork or in unapproved containers — Comptroller Mendoza emphasized that the primary responsibility for compliance fell on Heights Crematory.

“It was ultimately Heights’ responsibility to enforce those rules before accepting remains,” Mendoza said.

In the course of the investigation, 10 bodies and hundreds of unclaimed cremated remains were turned over to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for proper handling. Authorities are now working to reunite those remains with families or arrange for respectful disposition.

Public Reaction and State Response

Back in February, Comptroller Mendoza spoke passionately about the heartbreak caused by the facility’s conduct, calling the situation a betrayal of public trust and a violation of human dignity.

“I was appalled, disgusted, and deeply saddened by the disrespect Heights Crematory showed to the remains of the deceased,” she said. “No family should have to wonder what happened to their loved one when they pass or learn a deceased family or friend wasn’t treated with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve.”

The misconduct at Heights Crematory has prompted renewed scrutiny over regulations and inspections of crematories across Illinois. Mendoza has vowed to advocate for stricter oversight to ensure such egregious violations do not happen again.

Legal Closure

A hearing on the comptroller’s formal complaint — which had been scheduled for June 24 — has now been canceled due to the consent order reached this week. The decision effectively closes the legal chapter of the case while affirming that Heights Crematory and its ownership will never again be allowed to operate a crematory within the state.

State officials encourage any families who may have questions or concerns about remains handled by Heights Crematory to reach out to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office or the Office of the Illinois Comptroller for assistance.

As Illinois works to restore trust in the funeral and cremation process, the closure of Heights Crematory stands as a stark reminder of the sacred responsibility crematories carry — and the devastating consequences when that duty is neglected.