Getting an exhumation, once you have the proper paperwork in order would not seem like such a big deal.  As a funeral director I have supervised about a dozen of them over the years.  I never really liked them. . . all were done to simply move the vault from one cemetery to another or within the same cemetery.  None involved removing the deceased from the casket. . . only moving the entire vault, with casket inside, from one grave to another.

Last week we heard of the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis objecting to a request to exhume a deceased body because it was concerned that “the complex and commercial nature of this (particular) exhumation could cause disruption to the peaceful tranquility of the cemetery.”

As you can read in this news article from Fox2 in St. Louis, the case that has brought this potential attention is that of 1930’s gangster, John Dillinger, known as Public Enemy #1 during his day.  Members of Dillinger’s family have asked for the exhumation as part of a documentary for television’s History Channel.  Dillinger was buried in 1934.

According to the Fox2 article, the Dillinger family filed a lawsuit last Wednesday to compel the cemetery to allow the exhumation.

Related:  Here is an article from the Indianapolis Star on the case.  It has more detail than the Fox2 news story.

Funeral Director Daily take:  On the surface this exhumation seems pretty easy to allow.  If these “relatives” are truly the next of kin and they truly want a forensic accounting that the person said buried here is the actual person buried authorities would, taking into account the possible public health issues,  more than likely allow for such an exhumation and examination.

However, I can also see a cemetery objecting because of the publicity being generated in this case.  But, should “publicity” and the lack of tranquility it may cause to the cemetery be an issue?  Other relatives of those buried in the cemetery maybe don’t want all the commotion as they mourn their loved ones.

So, what seems so simple. . . maybe is not.  The wishes of the relatives of one famous deceased person or the rights of all the others buried in the cemetery as interpreted by the cemetery management or board?  What should take precedence in this case.  I’m glad that I don’t have to decide.

We will keep you informed as this case moves forward.

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