Residents can reclaim lost funds from Grandview Cemetery

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Residents who have lost funding from Grandview Cemetery near Madison, now have the chance to reclaim their losses, according to information from State Representative Dave Cheatham (D-North Vernon).

After many residents could not access their trust funds due to lawsuits filed by the owners of the cemetery, Cheatham went to work on getting the matter resolved. A resolution was passed on November 2 by the Indiana State Board of Funeral & Cemetery Service to help families whose pre-need contracts could not be met by Grandview Cemetery. House Bill 1305 was introduced to establish the Consumer Protection Fund for Cemetery Maintenance.

“It is unfair to consumers to allow the burial places of their loved ones become overrun with grass, weeds or any other debris,” Cheatham said. “While the primary responsibility for cemetery upkeep will remain in the hands of cemetery owners, this fund will make sure that grave sites remain in good condition.”

The Funeral & Cemetery Service Board’s resolution promises to rush any claims for restitution to the pre-need fund. In other words, any purchaser, purchaser’s estate, or seller who steps in and performs on a Grandview pre-need contract may receive fast service from the board for restitution of the claim.
A claim must be filed on the correct paperwork. Cheatham noted that the form is called a Verified Complaint Requesting Restitution from the Preneed Consumer Fund. The form can be downloaded from the web at http://www.in.gov/pla, or a form may be requested by contacting the board by calling 317-234-3031.

After you receive the form, it needs to be mailed to: 404 West Washington Street, W072 Indianapolis, IN 46204. Information from Cheatham’s office notes that the address, fax and phone number on the actual form are outdated. Direct lines to the staff for the Funeral and Cemetery Board are 317-234-3031 and 317-233-4236.

The claim must be filed with a copy of the pre-need contract and receipts, cancelled checks and any other form of proof that money was spent for the service and/or merchandise that should have been covered under the pre-need contract. After the claim is processed it will be forwarded for board approval. If the board approves the claim, the claimant will be reimbursed by check.

“It is important to Hoosiers that the final resting places of their loved ones are properly taken care of,” Cheatham concluded. “I’m glad to see that House Bill 1305 received support in committee and I am optimistic that it will receive similar support on the House floor.” The legislation passed by a vote of 9-0.

 

 

 

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