A funeral home on Chicago’s South Side is under investigation after more than 50 human bodies were discovered decomposing inside. The discovery was made after people who live in the area began complaining about the putrid smell.
One local news outlet on the scene reported seeing authorities wheeling bodies out of the building.
How does something like this even happen?
FOX News reports:
More than 50 bodies found decomposing inside Chicago funeral home after neighbors complained of ‘stench’
Chicago authorities are investigating a South Side funeral home after more than 50 bodies were discovered improperly stored and in various states of decomposition Thursday.
The discovery came months after nearby residents began complaining about a “stench” coming from the funeral home.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said state and local officials alerted it to improperly stored bodies at South Chicago Chapel. Investigators and forensic pathologists who responded found remains in various states of decomposition.
“Staff is assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates,” the medical examiner’s office said in a statement online. “This process could take several days to ensure proper disposition.”
State officials suspended the license of one of the funeral home’s directors, alleging multiple bodies were kept in an unrefrigerated area under “deplorable conditions.”
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said the conditions included rodent and maggot infestations, adding the lack of refrigeration had caused bodies to decompose.
In this video report, one woman who lives near the funeral home says that the smell has been an ongoing issue. Watch:
Authorities recovered 57 decomposing bodies on August 6, 2026, from the South Chicago Chapel funeral home located on Chicago’s Southeast Side.
The remains were hidden inside the basement, closets, and an attached garage of the facility at 2939 E. 95th St. in the South Deering… pic.twitter.com/RkUwNvdRQK
— Matt Robinson (@mattrobinson) August 7, 2026
People should be prosecuted for this. Talk about a public health hazard.
Not to mention how disrespectful it is to the deceased people. Their remains should have been handled with care.
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