Dozens of Lawsuits Allege Mishandling at Illinois, Indiana Crematories

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights and Crown Cremation Services in Indiana, alleging negligence and mishandling of human remains, including improper storage, delays in cremation, and concerns over receiving the wrong remains. Families report long waits for remains, with some waiting weeks or months, and some bodies found uncremated or commingled. The Illinois Comptroller’s Office shut down Heights Crematory after discovering about 100 bodies left improperly handled, prompting investigations and legal actions in both Illinois and Indiana. Attorneys representing affected families emphasize that these incidents are part of a broader pattern rather than isolated cases, with many families still seeking closure. Neither crematory has publicly commented on the lawsuits, while authorities continue to investigate the scope of the violations. The cases have raised calls for stricter regulations on the cremation industry to prevent future mistreatment of remains.