Grieving families file complaints against cemetery over grave markers

CHERAW, S.C. — Families of loved ones buried at Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens, a perpetual care cemetery in Cheraw tell Channel 9 they haven’t been well cared for for the price that they pay.

Barbara Driggers’ husband, a Korean War veteran, died on Jan. 6 and is buried at Chatham Hill.

He doesn’t have a grave marker.

"I go and I talk to my husband and I cry because I can't get it done,” Driggers said.

Instead, that marker, including a military plaque, sits about 100 yards away from the gravesite, balanced on four tires.

It’s been like that for a month.

"The manager there promised me four weeks ago that it would be installed before his birthday, which is Saturday,” Driggers said."

Channel 9 learned that at least eight other families have filed formal complaints with state regulators about similar situations, grave markers they paid for decades ago are not put in place.

It took four months for a granite marker to be placed on Flo Outen’s grave, who died in November,  after family members complained.

"We shouldn't have to be worrying about this when they purchased all this back in 2011,” said Ginger Caughman, Outen’s daughter. “It’s ridiculous."

The family is still waiting for Outen’s date of death to be added to her marker.

"Where is that money going if people aren't getting what they paid for?" Caughman said.

Channel 9 went to the cemetery office about the complaints.

The office manager said she couldn't comment, but did say the cemetery changed ownership in the last two years.

Driggers believes that's part of the problem.

"The new management's not following through on their agreements,” she said.

Next month, there is a meeting in Columbia, South Carolina at the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to address the issues.

Those who filed complaints to the cemetery plan on attending.

Channel 9 reporter Greg Suskin received a text from another family who said a loved one that has been buried at Chatham Hill since 2015 doesn’t have a marker placed at the grave.

Cox Media Group