Comptroller freezes trust funds of Burr Oak owner

Comptoller Dan Hynes is freezing the trust funds of Perpetua Holdings of Illinois, owner of the cemetery where workers are accused of digging up and dumping hundreds of bodies in a scheme to resell the burial plots.

Monday's action ends Perpetua's ability to accept funds in advance for the care of burial sites at Burr Oak Cemetery near Alsip and Cedar Park Cemetery in Calumet Park.

According to the comptroller's office, Perpetua recently reported $1.4 million in Burr Oak's care trust fund and $410,000 in its pre-need trust fund. Perpetua also reported $3.1 million in its Cedar Park care trust fund, about $764,000 in its cemetery pre-need trust fund and another $277,000 in its pre-need trust fund.

Hynes says his office is working with the Cook County sheriff's department to determine if those funds exist.