CHICAGO () — Illinois Comptroller officials said over the weekend that they have opened an investigation into Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematorium, a well-known burial site on Chicago’s North Side.
As part of the inquiry, the crematorium has been directed to stop taking in additional human remains.
The action follows a separate and disturbing investigation at a funeral home on Chicago’s Southeast Side, where authorities discovered 56 decomposing bodies along with more than 50 sets of cremated remains.
According to the office of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, officials were notified late in the afternoon on July 22 about possible violations involving the crematory located on the grounds of Bohemian National Cemetery.
Staff from the comptroller’s office arrived at the property early the next morning, July 23, and reported finding several equipment problems, as well as human remains awaiting cremation that were not being stored at the required temperature.
Mendoza addressed the Bohemian National Cemetery crematorium investigation in a statement, saying in part, “At the time of our visit, 35 individuals at the facility were waiting to be cremated. This has been completed and nearly all the cremated remains have been returned to their respective families. The investigation is ongoing and potential disciplinary action is being discussed.”
At the same time, authorities continue working to determine exactly what happened at South Chicago Chapel.
ABC7 learned Saturday night that Chicago police had located more than 50 containers holding cremated remains inside the facility.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s now has those remains as police work to contact next of kin.
Close to 60 decomposing bodies were found at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday.
As the other investigation at Bohemian continues, the IOC says cemetery burials and cemetery visiting hours have not been affected and remain unchanged.
ABC7 is working to determine if the Bohemian facility is linked to the investigation at South Chicago Chapel.
