CHICAGO (WLS) — Families gathered for a vigil Sunday as they pressed South Chicago Chapel for answers about what happened to their loved ones.
The emotional gathering followed the discovery earlier this month of dozens of decomposing remains that authorities say were improperly kept inside the funeral home.
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For many relatives, grief has turned into anger and uncertainty as they continue trying to learn where their family members’ remains are and how the situation was allowed to unfold.
South Chicago Chapel has been the focus of an investigation since Aug. 6, when the remains of 56 people were found. Authorities moved in after reports of a strong odor coming from the building prompted a raid at the facility.
“Just give us our family back,” Franquella Campbell said, speaking for those in mourning. “Not just my mom — their son, her son, his son, their wife, their husband, their family member… a child… a brother, sister. Everyone here is loved.”
Families rallied together, frustrated with the investigation, and demanded more transparency and the return of their relatives’ remains. There was a prayer and an emotional balloon release.
“I’m just wondering what happened to my son. I don’t know where he’s at… I want his ashes,” said Nora Nuckles.
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Families also claim they have seen the owners of the South Chicago Chapel return to the building despite it being shut down.
ABC7 reached out state investigators and the office of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza but did not immediately hear back.
In the meantime, some of these families say they have what they were told were the ashes of their loved ones, but they are skeptical about them actually being their family members’ remains.
“This is time for us to stand up and fight, because this is our loved ones. I have no idea if this is my son that’s in these ashes,” said Marketa Kristofek.
“It took a while to get the remains, and once we got them, it appeared to be a bag of dirt with rocks in it. It did not look like any cremated remains I’ve seen before,” said Cecelia Palmer.
The investigation continues as the Cook County medical examiner has started releasing a list of names of the human remains that were improperly stored at the funeral home.
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