NC Cemetery Commission investigates Lincolnton graveyard damage in search of answers

Zane Cina,

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — The North Carolina Cemetery Commission has answers for what is being done to resolve damage at a Lincolnton cemetery. WCCB reported Wednesday that customers of Forest Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum were unhappy with the state of the graveyard. Residents pointed to sunken graves, damaged headstones, broken or missing flower holders, litter, and tire tracks running across graves.

An NC Cemetery Commission representative reached out to WCCB Charlotte’s Zane Cina to detail the steps the organization has taken to get the damages repaired. The Cemetery Commission says Faithful Heritage Holdings, the Florida company which owns and manages the cemetery, has been communicating with them. According to a statement from the Commission, as of Thursday, cemetery “management reports that several steps have been taken to correct the damage.”

Faithful Heritage Holdings, Inc. has not yet responded to an email or voice mail left by WCCB asking what exactly those steps include.

The NC Cemetery Commission said that while ownership appears to be cooperating right now, the Commission’s investigation is ongoing and they’ll continue to verify complaints. If the investigation reveals enough wrongdoing, the Commission could ask a judge to place Forest Lawn Cemetery in receivership. Receivership could lead to the cemetery being impounded, audited, and ultimately sold.

The Cemetery Commission said that currently nine different cemeteries across the state are in receivership. Five of those cemeteries were placed in receivership due to the mismanaging of funds. So far the NC Cemetery Commission said it has received multiple formal complaints about the conditions of Forest Lawn’s grounds. A commission representative said it will take much more complaints from customers before the problems can be brought to court.

The state’s Cemetery Commission urges all who have experienced damages to graves to complete a complaint form by following the process linked here. Complaints can also be reported by emailing reports@nccemetery.org.

The NC Cemetery Commission asks for patience as it is an entirely self-funded consumer protection body specific to regulating cemeteries that operate as a perpetual care business. The scope of Commission’s authority is limited. A full list of North Carolina cemeteries regulated by the organization can be found at nccemetery.org.
The NC Cemetery Commission’s full statement that was shared with WCCB can be found below:
“The NC Cemetery Commission has been presented with multiple formal complaints regarding the conditions of the grounds at Forest Lawn of Lincolnton. We have been in communication with the ownership throughout the week. As of today, management reports that several steps have been taken to correct the damage caused to the grounds. We will continue to monitor this incident as progress is made. For any individual concerns unrelated to general grounds conditions at Forest Lawn, consumers are encouraged to complete the complaint form and follow the process linked here. The function of the Commission is to ensure consumers’ interests are protected as required by law. A complete list of licensed cemeteries in NC can be found on our website along with relevant laws and regulations. Please feel free to reach out to our office for any specific concerns.”
WCCB’s initial report on Forest Lawn Cemetery damage can be found here.