CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The owner of Sunset Memorial Gardens is facing a license suspension over poor conditions at the cemetery on North Lee Highway.
The cemetery, owned by Cecil Lawrence Inc,. of Dallas, Ga., is facing summary suspension after a July 31 inspection discovered violations of public health, safety or welfare, according to a state news release. There will be a hearing Aug. 21 in Nashville with the Tennessee Burial Services/Cemetery division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
"The sole issue to be considered will be whether the public health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action including summary suspension of the cemetery license of Sunset Memorial Gardens," said Assistant General Counsel Shilina B. Brown in an Aug. 12 letter addressed to Cecil Lawrence, the company's CEO.
The company did not respond to Times Free Press requests for comment.
The incident leading to the possible suspension started April 15 with a complaint to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
Sunset Memorial Gardens on North Lee Highway in Cleveland, Tenn., is facing a licence suspension for violating state regulations.In the complaint, a man said he and his sister could not find their father's grave during an April cemetery visit because the father's grave was not marked. The father was buried in December 2014.
"Complainant observed many unmarked graves along with many damaged markers," according to the consent order's findings of fact. "There were marker bases strewn around; one was found lying in what appeared to be a ditch. Additionally, there were many broken pieces of lawn crypts on the grounds."
See Saturday's Times Free Press for complete story.