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 Boards resolution promises
to rush any claims for restitution to the pre-need fund. In
other words, any purchaser, purchasers 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 Cheathams 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phone number on the actual form are outdated.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. Im 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.