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Resident tells commissioners state attorney general will pursue action over alleged Marion Cemetery mismanagement
Summary
A resident reported that the Indiana attorney general's office and state board of cemetery and funeral services have been notified about alleged mismanagement at Marion Cemetery, saying the AG's office found "definite cause" for disciplinary action and that the cemetery corporation failed to provide financial statements since 2018.
A public commentator told the Grant County Board of Commissioners that the Indiana attorney general's office inspected Marion Cemetery and concluded there is probable cause to pursue disciplinary action against the cemetery corporation.
The speaker said Inspector Singleton and Deputy Attorney General Matthew King visited the cemetery and expressed concern about the facility’s condition, the lack of full financial statements since 2018 and the corporation’s suspended license. The speaker said the AG’s office intends to fast-track a referral to the state board of cemetery and funeral services and that a superior-court civil claim filed in late September is proceeding in parallel.
The commentator said offers to the cemetery corporation’s president — including a $50,000 purchase offer or a paid staff position to maintain records — were rejected. The speaker added that families of the 40,000-plus buried at the site require proper care and stewardship and said the county’s statutory options under state law (cited in the meeting as "State statute 23 14 68") were discussed as possible pathways to help ensure care and transfer of responsibilities to the township.
The commission acknowledged the report and thanked the speaker for the update; staff and officials noted they would monitor developments and that legal avenues exist to address dereliction of cemetery duties under state law.
