Authorities discovered the remains of 56 people improperly stored and decomposing on Thursday at South Chicago Chapel, a funeral home in Chicago. The discovery led to the suspension of the funeral director's license and a formal investigation, with officials citing “deplorable conditions” at the facility.
Investigation and discovery
The Cook County medical examiner's office was notified by state and local officials that bodies were being stored improperly. Investigators and forensic pathologists were dispatched to the scene, where they found remains in various states of decomposition. The medical examiner's office stated, “Staff is assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates. This process could take several days to ensure proper disposition.” Family notifications will be made following identification.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation temporarily suspended the funeral director license of Johanna Morgan, who incorporated South Chicago Chapel in 2022. The suspension was due to “a finding that respondent's continued practice is a danger to the public safety, interest and welfare due to respondent allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions including rodent infestation, causing decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies.”
Community complaints and reaction
Neighborhood residents had complained about a “stench” emanating from the funeral home for months before the discovery. Latasha Johnson, 55, whose mother's funeral was held at the chapel on Thursday, said authorities told her that her mother's body would undergo an autopsy and she would need to identify the remains in a day or two. “I'm discombobulated,” she said. “My heart is broken.” Blaise Von Bruchhaeuser, a community advocate, expressed frustration that complaints about the odor were made for months without action.
Police initially reported that fire department officials declared the scene a hazardous materials incident, but later corrected that statement. No arrests have been made, but detectives are investigating. A small group of residents and people seeking information about their loved ones gathered outside the funeral home on Friday.
History of misconduct
State business records list Clark Morgan, Johanna Morgan's husband, as the funeral home's president. His funeral director license was revoked in 2024 for practicing with an expired license and “unprofessional conduct.” The couple previously ran Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, which had its license revoked last year after authorities found improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains never returned to families.
Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said, “Horrified. Again. The discovery of decomposing remains waiting to be laid to rest this week at a South Side funeral home is heartbreaking and an abomination. These are people – someone's mother, father, sister, brother, child or friend, and they deserve better.” Court records show both Morgans are defendants in lawsuits related to the crematory.
Broader context of mishandled remains
This case is part of a troubling pattern. Last month, two men were arrested in Pueblo, Colorado, for mishandling at least two dozen decomposing bodies found behind a hidden door. In 2024, 18 decomposing bodies were found at a Georgia funeral home. In 2023, nearly 200 decomposing bodies were discovered in Colorado, and 31 in Indiana. These incidents highlight ongoing issues with oversight in the funeral industry.
