Cemetery board to follow up after family reports removed grave light and chipped headstone

The Benton Harbor Cemetery Board acknowledged a written complaint from Irma J. Malone at its meeting and directed staff to contact her to gather photographs and inspect the grave.

Malone told the board that “on August 5, a cemetery light was placed on my son's grave ... Someone cut it off the front of the grave on or around February 2025. I'm asking for it to be replaced,” and later described returning in July to find a headstone knocked off its base and “pretty chipped, pretty bad.” Malone said she had submitted photos to the office.

Board members and staff discussed next steps instead of taking immediate action at the meeting. Member Jackson and Chair Frasier asked staff to reach out to Malone so a staff member could meet her at the gravesite and determine whether the light is attached to the stone or on the ground and whether the stone could be repaired or needs replacement. Gabrielle — identified in the meeting as the board contact — agreed to reach out to Malone and coordinate any site visit.

A board member also told the complainant that, going forward, complaints should be taken to the city clerk's office to ensure the board receives records promptly. The clerk’s office and the board apologized that Malone’s written complaint had not been available at the start of the meeting and said the board would follow up.

No formal vote or compensation decision was recorded at the meeting; the board’s action was to have staff gather photos and inspect the grave and report back. The board also reminded the public that decorations and solar lights that block mowing or maintenance may be removed under existing cemetery procedures and said staff would clarify whether the light in question complied with regulations.