More than 200 victims have been identified in a federal cemetery-fraud case involving unfulfilled grave-marker orders in West Virginia. Other families have reported similar problems but were not included in the federal case.

Public business records also show continuing activity involving cemetery and memorial-service entities connected to the same operations, including Appalachian Memorial Services LLC, American Family Cemetery Group LLC, Greenlawn Memorial Park, and Elkins Memorial Gardens. This raises serious questions about how West Virginia’s cemetery, consumer-protection, business-registration, and regulatory systems communicate with one another.

The concern is not simply one criminal prosecution. West Virginia families deserve to know that businesses accepting money for cemetery and memorial services are properly regulated and that state agencies have effective procedures for responding when serious consumer complaints arise.

We ask Governor Patrick Morrisey to:

Direct a coordinated review of the cemetery and memorial-service businesses involved and determine whether they are complying with applicable state registration, preneed, trust, and consumer-protection requirements.

Review communication between state agencies, including the Tax Division, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Police, and other agencies with responsibility for cemetery or consumer matters.
Identify gaps in West Virginia law that may allow businesses or related entities to continue operating or registering new entities despite significant unresolved consumer complaints or enforcement actions.
Strengthen consumer protections and oversight for families purchasing grave markers, cemetery services, and other memorial products.The federal criminal case is addressing alleged and admitted criminal conduct within its jurisdiction. This petition asks West Virginia leaders to address the larger state regulatory question: How do we prevent additional families from experiencing the same kind of losses?

Please sign this petition asking Governor Morrisey to coordinate a statewide review and strengthen protections for West Virginia families.