Chicago officials have held a support event for families affected by the discovery of 55 decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home, as relatives continue to question what happened to their loved ones’ remains.
The gathering, held on Friday, brought families together with crisis responders and support services while the investigation into South Chicago Chapel and a connected cremation business continues.
Families still question ashes returned by crematorium
South Chicago Chapel, at East 95th Street, was investigated after authorities found bodies in various stages of decomposition inside the premises in August. The funeral home is linked to Planet Green Cremation in Glenwood, which was also examined by investigators the following month.
Jordan Whittle said her family used Planet Green after her father died in May and received what they were told were his ashes in July. She said relatives had also used the business after her grandmother’s death in January, but now fear they may never know whether the ashes belong to their family members.
“It’s disturbing and disorienting and hard to make sense of, especially knowing we might not ever know,” Ms Whittle said.
Marshawna Campbell, whose family used Planet Green after her mother Shawnese Shannon died, said they were similarly uncertain about the contents of the urn they received.
“We don’t know if it’s her in the urn. We don’t know what’s in the urn,” Ms Campbell said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has since identified all 55 bodies recovered from South Chicago Chapel. Officials initially believed 56 sets of remains had been found, but DNA testing showed that a bag of organs counted as a separate set belonged to one of the identified people.
Medical examiner offers help with final arrangements
The medical examiner’s office took jurisdiction of the remains after the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation suspended the licence of the funeral home’s owner, Johanna Morgan.
It has said families can choose to have their relatives cremated without charge, or make arrangements through a funeral home of their choice after identification has been confirmed.
Friday’s event also coincided with the first inspection of South Chicago Chapel since the bodies were discovered. The city has been seeking to provide practical and emotional assistance to relatives dealing with uncertainty over funeral arrangements and the handling of their loved ones’ remains.
The Morgans, Johanna and Clark, have been approached repeatedly for comment but have not responded.
