Greenwood Memorial Lawn Cemetery Unkind, unethical and illegal practices from an industry that we, as Americans, rely on to "be there" for us in our darkest hours. Phoenix, Ariozna

I sent a complaint to Greenwood Memorial Lawn on September 9, 2016, via email. I received no response whatsoever, until the registered copy of the same letter was received by them.. My mother, called Greenwood Memorial Lawn late in July of this year, after she had been diagnosed with end stage cancer. She left a message and asked for a return phone call regarding the plots. She was hopeful that she would be able to sell them back or dispose of them in a way that would help pay for her own service (she chose to be cremated). Weeks went by without a response from the cemetery. My mother continued to get weaker and she asked that I call the cemetery, on her behalf, to see what could be done about the plots. I called Greenwood Memorial Lawn on 8/12/2016. I was transferred to a “family counselor” to discuss my situation. The response I got was shocking! The representative was rude, condescending and demeaning. She raised her voice saying, “I’m trying not to be rude, but we don’t buy plots, we sell them. If we took them back, there would be a $495.00 transfer fee leaving you with $5.00 per plot (both plots were bought in 1980's for $500.00 each). As it turned out, a family friend passed on August 19, 2016. My mother was very sick but wanted her friend to have the plot. I met the family at the cemetery on Monday, August 22, 2016. We were able to transfer one of the plots to our friend. I was not given a copy of the transfer paperwork until the following week when I requested it. When I received the transfer document, I was dumbfounded! The plot that was released to our friend was. This is the plot right next to my father. The other plot is still mine but is now occupied. What's worse is that I received a letter from Greenwood Memorial Lawn Dated 8/26/2016, the day after our family friend was buried in (what I believe to be a plot that is still owned by our family), offering to buy back both plots. '

After I received a response from Greenwood, after the registered letter was received, I was told that there was no mix up with the plots. Interestingly, they did not mention plot numbers. I asked for a detailed map including direction and plot numbers in relation to my father's grave on September 20, 2016, to help me understand if I was mistaken. Since that time, I have had no contact from Greeenwood Memorial Lawn whatsoever. I would like to receive full asking price, in today's market, for one plot (approximately $2500- $3000) and More importantly, I would like for this cemetery to be investigated thoroughly. If this type of unethical, unkind and possibly illegal treatment happened toward me, it has surely happened to others. I would like to do my part to protect those who come after me so that they will not be preyed upon by crooked cemeteries during their darkest hours.

My understanding is that these practices are not rare.  Rather, this industry seems to be a real racket. Very sad, when people like this, with very deep pockets, prey on the greiving.

Beware my friends.