Klamath Falls, Ore. – Operating licenses for a funeral home and cemetery in Klamath Falls have been revoked.
Eternal Hills and Memorial Gardens had their licenses suspended Wednesday morning.
“We are reorganizing the cemetery,” notes Tim Lancaster of Eternal Hills. “But as far as the maintenance of the cemetery, it is continuing on as normal…it will be soon under new management.”
The sanctions were imposed by the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board following 12 formal complaints. Claims included disputes over service costs, failure to meet industry standards, and accusations of mishandling of remains. Eternal Hills denies the accusations, and is appealing the order.
“Certain amount of unfairness we feel, involved in this,” said Lancaster. “But that’s what the appeal process is about.”
Licensed have not been revoked for a separate business owned by the owners of Eternal Hills.
Tim Lancaster explains, “We’re functioning through the Klamath Tribute Center at this time, which is a fully functional, licensed funeral home.”
While Eternal Hills can’t perform burials or sell plots, Lancaster adds that the cemetery remains open, “We are still there for them, and will provide complete maintenance in the cemetery for them.”
In addition to the revocations of licenses against Eternal Hills, the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board has also imposed fined of over $200,000.
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