Crematory Operator Under Investigation for Mishandling Bodies, Previous Violations Revealed

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — Clark Morgan, the operator of Heights Crematory, is under investigation for allegedly mishandling the remains of deceased individuals and posing as a licensed funeral director. The allegations surfaced following a complaint from Rachelle Whitney-Bey, whose mother’s remains were mishandled during her funeral service in 2020.

Whitney-Bey described a heartbreaking scene when she approached her mother Helen Mercer’s casket only to find her eyes unexpectedly opened due to advanced decomposition. “It was hurtful. I couldn’t, I couldn’t stand there and look at it,” Whitney-Bey said, noting that her mother was a beloved community figure.

Whitney-Bey asserted that Mercer’s body was improperly embalmed and lacked the appropriate makeup for viewing. “It’s not fair to the families and the deceased, and they’ve been profiting from it,” she said.

During the funeral, footage recorded by Whitney-Bey’s family shows Morgan identifying himself as the owner of the McCullough Funeral Home but failing to disclose that he is not a licensed funeral director. State records confirm that Morgan has only held a Funeral Director and Embalmer Intern License, which has faced scrutiny for being altered when he removed bodies from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 2022 and 2023. Morgan was fined $10,000 for these violations.

Attempts to reach Morgan for comment went unanswered. Inquiries directed to the McCullough Funeral Home revealed that Morgan was not affiliated with them as a client or owner; instead, he had rented space which the owner, Adrienn McCullough, terminated in 2021.

CBS News Chicago has been investigating Heights Crematory, where Morgan operates, after a whistleblower reported concerning conditions inside a trailer used for body storage. Photos shared with CBS News Chicago indicated bodies being stored improperly, partially exposed in clear plastic bags or sheets.

The Illinois State Comptroller’s Office began an investigation after receiving the disturbing photographs. Previous inspections found the crematory in violation of regulations multiple times. Reportedly, in July 2024, a cadaver was discovered in a broken refrigerator while others were noted as waiting for cremation on the premises, prompting stern warnings from officials regarding operational standards.

In December, Heights Crematory was cited again for using improper cremation containers, leading to an ultimatum to improve conditions, but the repeated infractions continued. In February, following additional whistleblower complaints, the facility agreed to temporarily shut down.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza expressed her horror upon viewing evidence of the conditions at Heights Crematory, stating, “I’m so disgusted.” The state has filed a four-count complaint against the crematory for misrepresentation and gross malpractice, seeking a permanent shutdown of operations.

For Whitney-Bey, the journey to address her mother’s treatment has been both painful and lengthy. Initially intending to have Heights Crematory handle her mother’s cremation, she ultimately sought services from another funeral home due to the distressing experience. Regrettably, Mercer’s body required re-embalming to rectify the previous mishandling.

Despite nearly five years passing since her mother’s funeral, Whitney-Bey expressed renewed hope following CBS News Chicago’s coverage of the ongoing investigation. “It felt like they caught him like a mouse on a trap, but this time, the mouse is not going to get away,” she said.