Your Funeral Guy Debates 2003 Burr Oak Perpetua CEO-On “Coverup” Memo

The other day I had a significant  E-mail exchange  with the former 2003 CEO Of Burr Oak Cemetery the memo exposed by Chuck Goudie Of ABC Local  last  Friday Night. The Email Exchange is presented here-there is no editorial  on this in this post beyond the E-mails.

From: “SLIVY@xxx.com” <SLIVY@xxx.com>
To: YourFuneralGuy@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 11:12:54 AM
Subject: Do You Ever Read The Background Information on The “News” You Pass Along?

The Memo Clearly points to a  Perpetua INC,  cover up of known Grave desecration with an effort to hide the  info from  ILLINOS COMPTROLLER OFFICE  EMPLOYEE DAVID FOLEY.  Perpetua is a Funeral and cemetery company owner the of Burr Oak Cemetery (Scandal). SHOW ME WHERE?

THE LATEST INFORMATION REVEALS PERPETUA INC AND SILVY EDMONDS COTTON  ATTEMPTING TO  COVER UP GRAVE DESECRATION, AND POSSIBLE GRAVE ROBBING at BURR OAK CEMETERY. SHOW ME WHERE?

Astute lawyers and victims have included Perpetua Inc and Silvy Cotton in their lawsuits. ARE YOU ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SUE ME BASED ON YOUR FAULTY ANALAYSIS?

The 2003 Memo related to possible desecrations of graves that I uncovered which I believed to have occurred over decades; a point that would be clear to anyone who read the complete files I submitted to the FBI several months ago, but should be clear to anyone who can read the Memo that was posted online.  Since it was I who investigated the finding in 2003, and it was I who contacted our attorney to find out who in the Comptroller’s office we should report the incident to; and it was I who was told to contact David Foley in the Comptroller’s office; and since it was I who contacted David Foley and set up the meeting that the Comptroller’s office confirms did occur; and since it was I who provided the Memo to the FBI several months ago who the hell are you to even suggest that I hid any information from David Foley or the Comptroller’s office? Did you read any of the information? I have consulted with a couple of people in the industry who told me to just ignore you since you are viewed as somewhat of a hack, however, my attorney is concerned that you are slandering my name and character. If it doesn’t stop I WILL take legal action against you.

If you were anything of a Consumer advocate you should be questioning whether there was a scandal in July 2009 at all. Does it seem strange to you that the crime scene and the area I identified in 2003 are one and the same? You should be questioning why Burr Oak Cemetery was INVADED with the entire cemetery turned upside down, when a cemetery with almost twice as many allegations in California during the same timeframe didn’t suffer a similar approach.  Find the answer to those questions and then you can consider yourself relevant. Otherwise, stop trying to turn facts into gossip.

Sincerely,Slivy Edmonds Cotton  (This is my correct name)

Slivy Edmonds Cotton  (This is my correct name)

Here is the First Response:

Hello,

The memo clearly reveals grave desecrations -and that you did not think the info would go to the comptroller-although you clearly placed the blame on previous owner. There is no evidence that you revealed the problem to Law enforcement authorities. In fact what is stated is that you did not think the comptroller would find out.

Show Me answer “I am not sure he would want to report anything to the Comptroller that would be unpleasant”

I am totally in my rights to my opinion on this memo posted at  the Capital Fax blog
I am not encouraging people to sue you- people are suing you which is all that I stated.
I apologize for spelling your name wrong.It is being Corrected.

I have reported extensively on The other Scandal Eden Memorial Park and the antics of Service Corporation International.

Your Funeral Guy

Here is my second response

Re: Do You Ever Read The Background Information on The “News” You Pass Along?

Tue, February 2, 2010 12:59:42 PM

From:	Robert Burkhardt <yourfuneralguy@yahoo.com>  … Add to Contacts
To:	SLIVY@xxx.com

---

Calling me a hack, is slander, but there is no surprise funeral industry folks say that as i have exposed fraud in the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and NFDA leadership. Please let me know who stated that

Your Funeral Guy.

Here is Slivy Cotton’s reply

From: “SLIVY@xxx.com” <SLIVY@xxx.com>
To: yourfuneralguy@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 1:38:57 PM
Subject: Re: Do You Ever Read The Background Information on The “News” You Pass Along

In a message dated 2/2/2010 12:15:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, yourfuneralguy@yahoo.com writes:

Hello,

The memo clearly reveals grave desecrations –and that you did not think the info would go to the comptroller-although you clearly placed the blame on previous owner. There is no evidence that you revealed the problem to Law enforcement authorities. In fact what is stated is that you did not think the comptroller would find out. This is just patently false. Perhaps you read you just don’t understand what you read.

I said the attorney to whom our attorney was speaking who was a friend of the Comptroller might not might not want to report something to the Comptroller that might be unpleasant. It was our job to get to the Comptroller and that is what happened.

Show Me answer “I am not sure he would want to report anything to the Comptroller that would be unpleasant”

I am totally in my rights to my opinion on this memo posted at  the Capital Fax blog

Your opinions don’t reflect the facts.  Have you read the statements from the Comptroller’s office that confirm that I met with them; disclosed that we had found remains there and sought their advice on how to proceed. What part of that leads you to an OPINION that I was trying to cover up anything and keep anything from David Foley?

You opinion is baseless and is slander. The Memo is part of a 15 page document that lays out a plan of action and recommendations to which you obviously haven’t been privy to. Notwithstanding that the Memo you did read DOES NOT lead to your opinion.

Slivy Edmonds Cotton

I am not encouraging people to sue you- people are suing you which is all that I stated.
I apologize for spelling your name wrong.It is being Corrected.

I have reported extensively on The other Scandal Eden Memorial Park and the antics of Service Corporation International.

Your Funeral Guy

Here is my Final response

Re: Do You Ever Read The Background Information on The “News” You Pass Along

…

Tue, February 2, 2010 2:37:49 PM

From:	Robert Burkhardt <yourfuneralguy@yahoo.com>  … Add to Contacts
To:	SLIVY@xxx.com

---

Hello,
The matter clearly was not reported to law Enforcement-by you or the Comptroller’s Office.  Crimes Committed  were not reported. AS I HAVE STATED OVER AND OVER- THE COMPTROLLER IS NOT THE PROPER AUTHORITY.
THE SHERIFF WAS  NOT INFORMED.

Working through the comptroller was a cover up in itself- The comptroller had no authority in Cemetery operations.(only preneed trust funds).
This is all over the news and my blog. Whether you realize it or not the Perpetua Lawyer, had you cover up.He knew the authority of the Comptroller was limited to preneed funds.

Your Lawyer advised you to cover up 1.By Going to The Comptrollers Office 2). By Going to Foley, Dan Hynes may not have been told about it. There is no proof that comptroller investigators took the info anywhere even with a meeting.“I am not sure he would want to report anything to the Comptroller that would be unpleasant“( The investigative meeting angle has been played out before in Illinois Funeral Directors association Theft with no appropriate action or reporting to higher ups).

As far as e-mails from the comptrollers office-they are posted on my blog. They Continue on Both Burr Oak and the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. That makes me a Hack?

Like it or not you covered up.

Funeral Industry|Funeral News| Funeral blog by Your Funeral Guy

The Top Ten Funeral Industry News Stories of 2009-Your FuneralGuy

Here are the top ten Funeral Industry News Stories In 2009. These Stories affected both the Funeral Industry an their consumers.

The #1 Funeral Industry News Story: WalMart Selling Caskets,This story change the mindset of the Consumer and the  Funeral Industry’s tacticson the sale of Caskets.

#2 Batesville Selling Vaults Batesville Casket C0.Testing Vault Sales after Very Bad Revenue Year

#3 Michael Jackson ‘s Golden Batesville Casket

#4. Batesville’s Revenue decline in 09.

For The first time since anyone can remember the leading casket maker’s Revenue was in trouble.

#5 World s Largest Funeral Corp Dominates Funeral Scandal For the Past decade

In fact in 2009 Service Corporation International became knowh as big Death and Enron Evil.

Who Shot Funeral Preneed? Click on #6 to Find Out!

#6.Who shot Preneed?

#7. Service Corporation Revenue Loss  contributed to  09 funeral Industry decline

#8 .Illinois Funeral Directors Association Ponzi Scheme .

#9. Burr Oak cemetery Scandal.

#10. Stewart Enterprises Inc Financial Numbers point to Funeral Industry decline.

Funeral Industry Decline in 09-Stewart Enterprises Inc

Stewart Enterprises Financial Report |more Funeral Industry Decline-Your Funeral Guy

Funeral Industry|Funeral News| Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

Burr Oak Cemetery Opened on a limited basis|YourFuneralGuy

Burr Oak Cemetery partially reopened on November 19th 2009

Burr Oak Cemetery is being opened on Thursday to specific families that have a loved one buried there.

The tickets are being issued by a Perpetua,  Inc at a website at http://www.burroakalsip.com/

Anyone who has a ticket can get in on their assigned day. If You have a loved one at Burr Oak, you can find the information at the website.

Here are some of the details on the Cemetery Reopining listed at the Perpetua Website.

Burr Oak Cemetery will re-open to the public on a limited, section by section basis beginning on Thursday, November 19, 2009 through Wednesday, November 25, 2009. The Cemetery will be open from 8 am to 4 pm on week-days and 8 am to 3:30 pm on week-ends.

We anticipate that there will be large numbers of people coming to Burr Oak, some of whom may require assistance. To avoid the crowd, we suggest that you make your visit at least two weeks after the Cemetery opens.

We have a very limited staff, so we appreciate your patience. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Because of the limited staff, the Cemetery will be opened up on a section by section basis, with a new section being opened each day until all 45 sections have been opened. Burr Oak staff will be stationed only in the areas being opened on that specific day to provide assistance in locating a loved one’s grave.

via www.burroakalsip.com

In order to visit the site one should get on a bus at a specific location-Burr Oak Cemetery Transportation Center at 12250 S Cicero Ave, Suite 109, Alsip, IL 60803. there is parking.

On Friday November 27th Burr Oak cemetery will reopen to the Public.

In July 2009 it was discovered that over 300 graves were desecrated at Burr Oak Cemetery. Four people were arrested. Bones were piled up all over the cemetery.

In reaction to the Burr Oak Cemetery  Scandal Illinois has proposed cemetery reform, and Congressman Bobby Rush has proposed the Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act of 2009-Click here

The main problem at the Cemetery is that there are over 140,000 grave sites with only 43,000 headstones.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

March on Burr Oak Cemetery-YourFuneralGuy

There is more horror in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Perpetua the old owners are back!

The first of many Marches has been planned  on Burr Oak Cemetery. The first is scheduled to take place on September 20th 2009. This past week the keys to Burr Oak Cemetery were turned over  to  it’s negligent owner Perpetua, Inc.

The court receiver is no longer involved. Folks are afraid the owner from before the Scandal will not keep the cemetery up. More grave desecration is a possibility. Most certainly recompense for the Burr Oak Families will not be taking place now.

In July 2009, it was discovered that up to 300 graves were desecrated at the Burr Oak Cemetery near Chicago. The horror continued as piles of dismembered bodies  were  found around the Cemetery.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

$50,000 for Burr Oak Cemetery Released-yourfuneralguy

A judge has released $50,000.00 USD for the operation of Burr Oak Cemetery. This is good news for those who are seeking more information on loved ones whose graves may have been dug up.

In July 2009 it was discovered that over 200 graves were desecrated at the cemetery  in Alsip, IL. Other investigations are continuing. Bones were found discarded around the cemetery.Four People have been arrested.

Although the owner “Perpetua Inc” reported the scandal they have been not given public answers about their role in the matter.

Recently operations at the Cemetery had to cease due to lack of funds.

This is a cemetery and burial disaster|Scandal of the worst type.

Snippet from the Southtown Star

This morning a group of 15 lawyers representing Szabelski, the sheriff, Burr Oak owner Perpetua Inc. and others were in court for a hearing on the issue.

A judge agreed to give Szabelski $50,000 from the still-frozen accounts with which to continue his work Burr Oak.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

Burr Oak Cemetery No Longer a Crime Scene-YourFuneralGuy

The latest news in the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal is that it is no longer a crime scene. This is according to the Cook County Sheriff”s website. The cemetery has been turned over to the Court Receiver. “BURR OAK CEMETERY WILL NOT BE REOPENED AT THIS TIME”

There is enough evidence gathered for prosecution. The Sheriff sees no need to excavate the cemetery for months or years.

As mentioned in the previous post the recovered bones will not undergo DNA testing. The investigation will continue off site.

From the Press Page at the Cook County Sheriffs Website.

“The turning over of day-to-day operations to the receiver is a step towards allowing the cemetery to conduct normal business,” Dart said.  “I want to thank the public for their patience during the time we were forced to close the cemetery to process the crime scenes and ask for their continued patience while Mr. Szabelski continues to work towards re-opening Burr Oak.  I hope that everything that has been done will help ease the pain of those with loved ones buried here and allow them to finally have some closure in this matter.”

Community Members have come together to form the Chicago Burr Oak  Cemetery Historical Society. They are working together to find a fan appropriate memorial for the bones unearthed at Burr Oak Cemetery.

Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal|For some no answers-

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Burr Oak cemetery pic from Dallas News.

Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal:FBI says bones|not to be DNA tested-YourFuneralGuy

There will Be No DNA testing on 1,100 discarded bones at Burr Oak cemetery

There will Be No DNA testing on 1,100 discarded bones at Burr Oak cemetery. The Chicago office of the FBI has stated that the bones recovered from Burr Oak Cemetery will not be tested.

This will come as a disappointment to many families would like to know whether or not there deceased relatives were among those who were dug up.The relatives of those desecrated are the victims.

We will never know the identities of many that were taken out of their graves. Approximately1,100 bones were recovered.

Assistant Special Agent Trautmann Director of the Chicago FBI office stated on August 7th 2009 :

“Even if we could’ve obtained the DNA profile from bones … then we have the problem of who we compare that to, not knowing who those bones belong to”

Cook County Sheriff Dart stated:

“For those individuals who are looking for every part of human remains that were disinterred to be recovered, that is not going to occur, it cannot occur,”

DNA testing on 1,100 Bones recovered in Burr Oak Grave Robbing Scandal is not to happen

Funeral industry Funeral blog by Your Funeral Guy

You can get some help here: Cook County Sheriff’s website:www.burroak.net

Burr oak cemetery pic from religion dispatches.org

Source: The Huffington Post

Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal: Four Arrested Indicted-yourfuneralguy

On August 6th 2009  the four people arrested in the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal were indicted by the Cook County States Attorney. When they were arrested they were charged with dismemberment of a human body(class x felony).

At the Burr Oak Cemetery nearly 300 graves were disturbed and bones were piled up at different locations. Four people were arrested.

Other indictments are listed below that were returned by a grand jury.

two counts of theft

unlawful removal of grave stones

desecration of human remains

unlawful removal of deceased human beings from a burial ground.

conspiracy to remove human remains.

Funeral Industry |Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

wbbmnewsradio78 broadcast

Huffington Post

Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal:NFDA Asks FTC To Help-YourFuneralGuy

The National Funeral Directors Association has asked the Federal Trade Commission to bring cemeteries in under the Funeral Rule. This is the Result of the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal.

The National Funeral Directors Association has asked for Cemetery Reform as a result of the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal. Christine Pepper the CEO of The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the FTC to strengthen  the “Funeral Rule” to include all deathcare vendors which includes Cemeteries. This would be an excellent step in preventing future cemetery scandals like Burr Oak.

The Funeral Rule already applies to Funeral homes but needs to apply to Cemeteries as well. the Full NFDA Letter can be viewed here.

From the letter:

Any time the government extends regulations over sellers in an industry or profession, it has the effect of curtailing the opportunity for abuse. If a seller is not licensed, not inspected and not regulated by federal, state or local governments, it operates in a free-for-all world where there is no accountability for any transgression… NFDA, AARP and other organizations have documented the harm that consumers have experienced…

The FTC has refused to even investigate these complaints by arguing (without any support or evidence) that the practices are not pervasive throughout the industry. As a result, cemetery and crematory consumers continue to suffer from these reoccurring scandals.”

This is the a step forward for the NFDA and they should be commended for sending the letter to the FTC, Federal Trade Commission.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal:owners Perpetua,Inc-yourfuneralguy

Burr  Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois is the location of the July 2oo9 Cemetery disaster where 300 graves were disturbed bodies dismembered, and bones discarded around the cemetery. The Cook County Sheriff  has the sight closed off as a crime scene.

The owners of Burr oak cemetery are PERPETUA HOLDINGS OF ILLINOIS, INC with Melvin Z. Byrant of Richardson Texas in charge. Perpetua Holdings is the Arizona company who is ultimately responsible. There address is 6614 E Villa Dorado Dr., Tucson, AZ 85715-4725 .

It does appear that Melvin Z. Byrant does not spend his time in Arizona. He has not bothered to show up in Illinois to face the community in the Burr Oak Cemetery Scandal. This may not have been the wisest course of action.

It appears that  Byrant is staying close to his partners at Pacesetters Capital, Inc. He is an operating partner with Pacesetters Capital according to the website.( Melvin Z Bryant’s picture is here on their Website.) It would be safe to conclude that Pacesetters Capital has some Financial interest in  Melvin Z. Byrant and  Perpetua, Inc.

Perpetua  has caused so much heartache at Burr Oak Cemetery. Hopefully the  Perpetua company and their investors will make things right with the families that have loved ones at Burr Oak Cemetery. Restitution must happen.

Funeral Industry|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy

Melvin Byrant is named here because he is a responsible owner of Burr Oak Cemetery, named in several lawsuits and in the press.

MORE ON BURR OAK CEMETERY OWNERS