Authorities discovered more than 50 bodies improperly stored and decomposing at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home on Thursday, leading to a hazardous materials response and a multi-day effort to identify the remains and notify grieving families. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office was alerted by state and local officials to the conditions.
Illinois state officials have suspended the funeral director's license of Johanna Morgan, citing allegations that bodies were kept in an unrefrigerated area in "deplorable conditions," including rodent and maggot infestation. State business records indicate Morgan incorporated South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022. Her license suspension stems from a finding that her continued practice posed a danger to public safety and welfare.
The state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation also previously revoked the funeral director license of Clark X. Morgan, listing him as the funeral home's president, and fined him $10,000 in 2024 for practicing with an expired license and unprofessional conduct. Public records suggest Johanna and Clark Morgan reside at the same address in Evergreen Park, a Chicago suburb.
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza stated that Johanna and Clark Morgan previously operated a crematory in Chicago Heights, which had its license revoked last year. At that facility, authorities found improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains that had not been returned to families. Mendoza described the crematory's conditions as bodies stacked on top of each other and not refrigerated.
City police confirmed detectives are investigating the incident at South Chicago Chapel. Neighbors reported a foul odor emanating from the funeral home area. Messages left for the funeral home by phone and via its website were not immediately returned. The funeral home's website describes its services as providing "compassionate care and personalized services to support families during life’s most challenging moments."