Instead of giving their loved ones a dignified final farewell, dozens of families in Chicago are living through a nightmare that seems to have no end. As they desperately search for the remains of deceased relatives, investigators continue to uncover increasingly disturbing details about a local funeral home\u2014from bodies left to rats and maggots to allegations that urns were filled with construction debris instead of cremated remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the shocking revelations continue to emerge, grieving families say they are reliving their pain while fearing for the fate of their loved ones’ remains. Although the state agency says the funeral home’s operator has now had her license revoked, records show the business had already accumulated a lengthy history of serious violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid the chaos, many relatives still have no idea where the bodies of their family members ended up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“I just want my mother back. Do whatever you want, but please, just give me my mother back,” one grieving relative tearfully told NBC Chicago.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Families who entrusted South Chicago Chapel with the care of their loved ones say they are now suffering through a second tragedy after learning of the gruesome discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“They called and told me my brother wasn’t there. I called the funeral home, but no one answered. They even hung up on my daughters,” said Angela Young, who is still desperately searching for her brother.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Many residents say they had suspected for months that something was terribly wrong because a strong, foul odor constantly surrounded the building. Several sisters also told reporters that the contents of their mother’s urn looked nothing like cremated ashes and instead resembled ordinary construction rubble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“The color and texture… It looked like someone had gone to a beach and scooped up sand and rocks,” the sisters said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Their mother, Shaunis Shannon, 61, died of cancer in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“My mother bought this urn herself, certainly not to hold rocks. This isn’t my mom. My father was cremated, and I know what ashes look like. This is nothing but stones,” another relative said in disbelief.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n